Box Wings- Return of Biplane era?
A box wing aircraft uses two sets of wings, one forward pair configured normally, and a second set
positioned where the tail would normally be and sweeping forward to merge with the first set of
wings, forming a complete 'loop' of lifting surface.In the early years of aviation, biplanes dominated
the skies, and with good reason. The two layers of wings created a stronger airframe, and the
increased wing surface area provided more lift,which well suited the modestly-powered engines of
the time.
The concept has been updated for the twenty first century, with the aim of increasing fuel efficiency,
reducing pollution and noise, and ultimately, saving money. Lockheed Martin proposed this design for
Leaner, greener flying machines for the year 2025 initiative, under contract to the NASA Aeronautics
Research Mission Directorate's Environmentally Responsible Aviation Project.
The biggest advantage of this configuration is the increased lift created by using two sets of wings.
The design being pursued by Lockheed Martin would increase the lift to drag ratio by 16%,
allowing the craft to use less fuel and therefore could fly the same routes as conventional aircraft
for less money. The savings on fuel could also allow it to stay in the air longer or to fly farther for
the same size fuel tank. The increased wing area would also allow it to make steeper descents and
ascents safely than current conventional jet liners. The swept-back design of the double looped wing
would also allow the aircraft to readily handle transonic and supersonic speeds.
Lockheed Martin's design also incorporates ultrahigh-bypass turbofan engines and advanced
lightweight composite materials, which combined with its box wing configuration, promises to make
the aircraft up to 50% more fuel efficient than contemporary jetliners. Similar cost and fuel-saving
innovations are being combined with box wing designs by Bauhaus Luftfahrt, with the ultimate
goal of creating aircraft that not only operate more cheaply, but are more environment-friendly.
The US Air Force has also looked into box wing designs. Though details of their actual progress are
sketchy online, it is likely the box wing's greater lift-to-drag ratio, fuel efficiency, and greater
endurance in the air is what is attracting the armed forces to such aircraft, especially for the large
airborne tanker craft used to refuel military jets in flight.
A box wing aircraft uses two sets of wings, one forward pair configured normally, and a second set
positioned where the tail would normally be and sweeping forward to merge with the first set of
wings, forming a complete 'loop' of lifting surface.In the early years of aviation, biplanes dominated
the skies, and with good reason. The two layers of wings created a stronger airframe, and the
increased wing surface area provided more lift,which well suited the modestly-powered engines of
The concept has been updated for the twenty first century, with the aim of increasing fuel efficiency,
reducing pollution and noise, and ultimately, saving money. Lockheed Martin proposed this design for
Leaner, greener flying machines for the year 2025 initiative, under contract to the NASA Aeronautics
Research Mission Directorate's Environmentally Responsible Aviation Project.
The biggest advantage of this configuration is the increased lift created by using two sets of wings.
The design being pursued by Lockheed Martin would increase the lift to drag ratio by 16%,
allowing the craft to use less fuel and therefore could fly the same routes as conventional aircraft
for less money. The savings on fuel could also allow it to stay in the air longer or to fly farther for
the same size fuel tank. The increased wing area would also allow it to make steeper descents and
ascents safely than current conventional jet liners. The swept-back design of the double looped wing
would also allow the aircraft to readily handle transonic and supersonic speeds.
Lockheed Martin's design also incorporates ultrahigh-bypass turbofan engines and advanced
lightweight composite materials, which combined with its box wing configuration, promises to make
the aircraft up to 50% more fuel efficient than contemporary jetliners. Similar cost and fuel-saving
innovations are being combined with box wing designs by Bauhaus Luftfahrt, with the ultimate
goal of creating aircraft that not only operate more cheaply, but are more environment-friendly.
The US Air Force has also looked into box wing designs. Though details of their actual progress are
sketchy online, it is likely the box wing's greater lift-to-drag ratio, fuel efficiency, and greater
endurance in the air is what is attracting the armed forces to such aircraft, especially for the large
airborne tanker craft used to refuel military jets in flight.
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