Airbus unveils Maveric model

A scale model technological demonstrator of a new aircraft design that is claimed to have the potential to reduce fuel consumption by up to 20% compared to current single-aisle aircraft was unveiled last week by Airbus.

Named Maveric – Model Aircraft for Validation and Experimentation of Robust Innovative Controls (below) – and 2m long and 3.2m wide, with a surface area of about 2.25sq m, it features what Airbus calls a “blended wing body”.

The company says this configuration also opens up new possibilities for propulsion systems type and integration, as well as a versatile cabin for “a totally new on-board passenger experience”.

The demonstrator is the latest result from the Maveric programme, which was launched in 2017 and has been in a continuing flight-test development which is scheduled to carry on until the end of this summer.

Airbus Engineering executive vice-president Jean-Brice Dumont said: “Airbus is leveraging emerging technologies to pioneer the future of flight. Testing disruptive aircraft configurations such as this enables us to evaluate their potential as viable future products.

“Although there is no specific timeline for entry into service, this technological demonstrator could be instrumental in bringing about change in commercial aircraft architectures for an environmentally sustainable future for the aviation industry.”

www.airbus.com

Index/Home page
 

OUR READERS' FINEST WORDS (All times and dates are GMT)

All comments are filtered to exclude any excesses but the Editor does not have to agree with what is being said. 100 words maximum