They are the sort of striking images that wouldn't look out of place in a scene from a sci-fi movie. However, one of these could soon be the face of modern aviation with the unveiling of a new generation of passenger aircraft. NASA has revealed three concept designs for quiet, energy efficient aircraft that potentially could be ready for flight as soon as 2025. Three companies - Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and The Boeing Company - came up with the designs and, at the end of last year, all three won a contract from NASA to research, develop and test their concepts in 2011, meaning these futuristic ideas could have the potential to take flight. The designs came about after NASA revealed it was aiming to develop a line of 'super planes' that are faster, larger, quieter - and burn fuel more efficiently and cleanly than their present counterparts. (Daily Mail)Sunday 16 January 2011
Is it a bird? No, it's definitely a plane: NASA unveils extraordinary ideas for the aircraft of 2025
They are the sort of striking images that wouldn't look out of place in a scene from a sci-fi movie. However, one of these could soon be the face of modern aviation with the unveiling of a new generation of passenger aircraft. NASA has revealed three concept designs for quiet, energy efficient aircraft that potentially could be ready for flight as soon as 2025. Three companies - Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and The Boeing Company - came up with the designs and, at the end of last year, all three won a contract from NASA to research, develop and test their concepts in 2011, meaning these futuristic ideas could have the potential to take flight. The designs came about after NASA revealed it was aiming to develop a line of 'super planes' that are faster, larger, quieter - and burn fuel more efficiently and cleanly than their present counterparts. (Daily Mail)