Aircraft Aerodynamic Efficiency – Even Windshield Wiper Position Matters
In the quest to reduce drag and increase efficiency, every detail matters, right down to the windshield wiper position. These were the findings from a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) evaluation of a US Air Force Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker, which simulated airflow over the nose section of the aircraft.
By repositioning the wipers into a vertical position, a drag reduction of 0.8% was achieved. By supplementing those gains with a slimmer wiper design, an additional 0.2% was added to the total benefit. And while 1% might not seem significant, it can save millions of dollars in fuel costs every year when applied to an entire fleet of aircraft.
NASA Releases New X-59 Photo as Test Flights Top 55,000 Feet
A newly released image shows NASA’s X-59 from above, highlighting the airframe designed to eliminate sonic booms. Recent flights have exceeded 55,000 feet and have approached 900 miles per hour.
CFM’s Open Fan Engine Clears Key Milestones, with Flight Tests Targeting Late-2020s
CFM International completed critical design reviews for its Open Fan engine. Flight tests are on track this decade, with efforts aimed at achieving 20% better fuel efficiency than today’s engines.
AW609 Civil Tiltrotor: 3 Things to Know About Leonardo’s Path to 2027 Entry Into Service
Leonardo’s AW609 tiltrotor targets 2027 civil certification as three milestones, including a flying next-generation prototype, demonstrate progress toward certification.
