Air Force Tests Subscale Blended-Wing Body Jet, Poised for 2027 Debut

2025-01-06

The US Air Force is flight-testing a subscale model of its Blended-Wing Body (BWB) demonstrator, using the data to refine the full-scale aircraft's control software and configuration. The subscale model, nicknamed "Pathfinder," boasts a 23-foot wingspan—one-eighth the size of the planned full-scale aircraft. The BWB design promises a 30 percent reduction in fuel burn and potential applications in future Air Force and commercial airlifters and cargo aircraft. The full-scale aircraft is slated for a September 2027 first flight, informing analysis for the Next-Generation Air Refueling System (NGAS) and other future mobility concepts.

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