Boeing’s radical wing design unveiled

By Jack Guy, CNN
Updated 5:54 AM EST, Fri January 11, 2019
<strong>Air support: </strong>Boeing says its radical new "transonic" wing design will offer unprecedented aerodynamic efficiency.
Air support: Boeing says its radical new "transonic" wing design will offer unprecedented aerodynamic efficiency.
Boeing
<strong>Boeing 777-X9: </strong> Boeing's hotly anticipated 777X hit a production milestone late last year when its major fuselage sections -- the airplane's nose, mid and aft sections -- were brought together.
Boeing 777-X9: Boeing's hotly anticipated 777X hit a production milestone late last year when its major fuselage sections -- the airplane's nose, mid and aft sections -- were brought together.
Courtesy Boeing
<strong>Boeing 777X: </strong>In January 2019, huge GE Aviation GE9X engines were attached to the 777X, taking it closer to its first-ever flight, expected later in the year.
Boeing 777X: In January 2019, huge GE Aviation GE9X engines were attached to the 777X, taking it closer to its first-ever flight, expected later in the year.
Courtesy Boeing
<strong>BBJ 777X: </strong> With a range of 11,645 nautical miles, Boeing claims its new business jet can connect virtually any two cities in the world.
BBJ 777X: With a range of 11,645 nautical miles, Boeing claims its new business jet can connect virtually any two cities in the world.
courtesy Jet Aviation
Boeing's 'transonic' wing design revealed in new image
CNN  — 

The future looks interesting for air passengers, with a raft of new designs in the pipeline promising faster planes capable of taking people on longer flights in greater comfort.

Boeing’s latest innovation in the travel field is an extremely thin, folding wing that will offer unprecedented aerodynamic efficiency, according to a news release from the company.

The Transonic Truss-Braced Wing boasts an extended wingspan of 170 feet, made possible by a truss that supports its weight.

During development, which is still at conceptual phase, engineers have also been able to obtain an increased top speed from a planned Mach 0.70-0.75 to Mach 0.80.

This was made possible by modifying the wing sweep and optimizing the supporting structure, according to the release, changes which allow the truss to carry lift more efficiently.

boeing dreamliner 787 airplane timelapse construction jnd orig pkg_00002514.jpg
See Boeing Dreamliner built in hyperspeed
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Boeing has developed the wing in partnership with NASA over the course of nearly a decade.

Their work is part of the Subsonic Ultra Green Aircraft Research program, which encourages the development of less noisy, more efficient aircraft that also improve on performance.

Boeing launches business jet capable of world's longest flight

In December Boeing unveiled its newest line of business jets, which the company says will allow VIP travelers to fly nonstop between “any two cities on Earth.”

The BBJ 777X planes will have a range of 11,645 nautical miles (21,570 km), enabling them to offer the longest commercial flight in the world.

Depending on which routes the jets are used on, the new models mean Boeing could wrestle the crown for farthest nonstop travel away from Airbus.

Boeing's 777X jetliner comes together

Travelers around the globe are also one step closer to seeing a plane with its wings folded up being taxied to their gate.

Slated to be one of the next darlings of commercial aviation, the Boeing 777X hit a production milestone late last year when its major fuselage sections – the airplane’s nose, mid and aft sections – were brought together. Engines have also now been added.

It has hinged wingtips measuring 12 feet, with locking pins to prevent them from folding during flight, and the longest aircraft body and widest wingspan ever produced by Boeing, at 252 feet and 235 feet, 5 inches, respectively.

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