2007 was an important year for the aeronautics division of NASA. The Skyray 48 program flew its first successful scale prototype test flights and is on its way to a full scale prototype in a few years. The Skyray/X-48B is a collaboration between Boeing Co., NASA and the Air Force Research Lab. As with many initially military technologies, the lessons learned by a project's commercial collaborator will find their way down to the general public (GPS, cell phones, 4x4's, etc.). The blended wing/lifting body type will increase capacity, lower fuel costs and reduce noise for military and commercial aircraft developed from the Skyray prototype.
photos courtesy of NASA
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