NASA/Boeing X-66A Next-Generation Airliner Design Work Underway

NASA and Boeing have launched a joint project to build an experimental aircraft to explore and demonstrate sustainable flight technologies and dubbed it the X-66A. Based on a McDonnell Douglas MD-90 airliner, the initial design features a high aspect ratio wing braced by an external truss. In addition to exploring new and emerging airframe technologies, the aircraft will be able to test various engines, including traditional turbofans as well as new open-rotor designs.