Aviation

This aircraft won’t need a runway

In aviation, continuous innovation pushes the limits of what’s possible. One groundbreaking development is an aircraft that eliminates the need for a runway, changing the way we approach takeoff and landing.

Imagine an aircraft capable of taking off and landing without relying on traditional runways. This cutting-edge design could transform air travel, enabling flights to operate from virtually any location.

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Aurora Flight Sciences, a Boeing subsidiary, is developing an innovative X-plane using fan-in-wing (FIW) technology to offer high-speed, runway-independent mobility for operations in contested environments. Recent renderings showcase a scalable vertical lift design aimed at enhancing airborne logistics and personnel recovery missions, especially in areas without prepared runways.

This project is part of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Speed and Runway Independent Technologies (SPRINT) program. The goal of SPRINT is to design, build, and fly an X-plane that demonstrates critical technologies enabling a breakthrough combination of speed and runway independence.

Aurora and Boeing are collaborating to develop advanced technologies that address mobility challenges in contested zones and across distributed military bases. The FIW design integrates an embedded lift fan with a blended wing body, allowing vertical lift without compromising payload capacity and aerodynamic efficiency, typically seen in conventional fixed-wing aircraft.

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The current design phase focuses on an uncrewed demonstrator with a 45-ft wingspan and a 1,000-pound payload capacity. Powered by off-the-shelf turbofan and turboshaft engines, this vehicle aims to reach speeds of up to 450 knots true airspeed (KTAS).

The technology showcased in the SPRINT X-plane could eventually scale up to medium and heavy-lift aircraft, potentially leading to a new family of systems. Aurora envisions future models, including a manned aircraft with a 130-ft wingspan, four lift fans, and a 40-ft payload bay. This FIW aircraft could rival traditional fixed-wing military transport aircraft in payload, range, and speed, while offering the tactical advantage of true vertical takeoff and landing.

The current phase of development continues through May 2025, with a preliminary design review set for April 2025. Flight testing is scheduled to begin in 2027.

Aviation

Airbus Enhances A350 Cabin with 10-Abreast Seating

Airbus has announced a new partnership with Jiatai Aircraft Equipment, a Chinese aircraft seating manufacturer, to supply upgraded economy-class seats for the A350 widebody series.

This collaboration, unveiled at the 2024 Airshow China, focuses on developing a newly designed economy seat tailored for the A350‘s New Production Standard (NPS) cabin.

One of the key features of the NPS cabin is the ability to accommodate 17-inch wide economy seats, compared to the previous 16.5-inch wide seats that airlines were limited to in the A350’s earlier configurations.

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This change is made possible by the expanded space in the NPS cabin, which is 35 inches longer and 4 inches wider than the previous version. This extra space is achieved by slightly moving the cockpit wall forward and shifting the rear pressure bulkhead back by one frame.

The wider cabin allows airlines to add up to 30 extra economy seats without compromising comfort. For airlines opting for a 3-4-3 seating layout, the 17-inch wide seats are an excellent choice for a more comfortable passenger experience. However, some airlines, such as Iberia, may choose to retain a 9-abreast layout with wider seats for added comfort.

The NPS cabin also offers enhanced flexibility for airline operators. One major advantage is the ability to easily switch between a 9-abreast and 10-abreast seating configuration without requiring significant downtime for aircraft reconfiguration. Airlines can use the same seat rails, tracks, and IFE interfaces, making the transition smoother and quicker.

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In addition, the design of the floor attachments and air-conditioning systems has been optimized for 10-abreast seating, meaning airlines can upgrade their cabins without needing to make substantial modifications to the aircraft’s structure.

Though it’s still unclear when Jiatai’s economy-class seats will be officially added to the A350’s Buyer Furnished Equipment (BFE) catalogue, the collaboration marks a significant step toward enhancing the A350’s cabin offerings.

With this partnership, Airbus is providing more seating options for airlines, ensuring that they can meet diverse customer needs while improving overall operational efficiency.