Blended Wing Aircraft, Inc. / JetZero BWB Projects

JetZero Scaled Demo BWB First Flight Imminent | Aviation Week Network

JetZero says it is poised to begin flight tests of a subscale version of its full-scale blended wing body multirole demonstrator in the next few weeks.
aviationweek.com aviationweek.com

"…
California-based JetZero says it is poised to begin flight tests of a subscale version of its full-scale blended wing body (BWB) multirole commercial and military demonstrator in the next few weeks.

“It should be in a matter of days and weeks,” JetZero CEO Tom O’Leary tells Aviation Week.

“We’re ready and we are just waiting for a dry lakebed,” he adds, referring to the expansive areas of Edwards AFB, California, that will be used for takeoff and landing tests. A large portion of the lakebed remains inundated with water following heavy rains in Southern California.

The 23-ft.-wingspan, 12.5%-scale vehicle was funded under a 2021 contract awarded during an earlier round of NASA’s Sustainable Flight Demonstrator program and will be used mainly to evaluate the novel articulating nose leg design—a key feature of the JetZero BWB concept. The vehicle will pave the way for the full-scale aircraft, which is being developed under an initial $235 million U.S. Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) contract awarded in 2023."
 
raptor82 said:
“It should be in a matter of days and weeks,” JetZero CEO Tom O’Leary tells Aviation Week. “We’re ready and we are just waiting for a dry lakebed,” he adds, referring to the expansive areas of Edwards AFB, California, that will be used for takeoff and landing tests. A large portion of the lakebed remains inundated with water following heavy rains in Southern California.
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You're gonna need a bigger boat.

They are kayaking in Death Valley.
 

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Grey Havoc said:
As well as keeping their options open, a subtle but rather pointed jab at Boeing by Alaska Airlines, perhaps?
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No, since these BWBs are at least a decade away from certification. And probably closer to 20 years away.

A shot across the bow at Boeing would be someone leaking that (Airline) was talking to everyone with Airbus orders, about how much it'd cost to buy some of their slots.
 
In the event they go vaporware on us, here is artwork from their website....

Enjoy the Day! Mark
 

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Nice to see this type of activity at Long Beach Airport...poor airport needs all the business it can get. I'll try to stop by and see if I can get additional pictures.
 
Although probably never risk it Boeing’s way back, imho, is an ultra efficient clean sheet design, like a BWB, that from design to test to certification goes somewhat flawlessly.

Not holding my breath.
 
www.airandspaceforces.com

Air Force Tests Subscale Model of Blended-Wing Body Jet

The Air Force’s Blended Wing Body demonstrator is still set to fly in 2027, aided by data collected during test flights of a subscale version.
www.airandspaceforces.com www.airandspaceforces.com

Scaled Composites “has begun manufacturing full-scale parts for testing purposes. For example, a wing test article was recently built to refine and validate structural models being used for the full-scale aircraft build,” she said, while JetZero has made “significant progress in its integrated test facility … which enables systems integration testing to begin well before initial manufacturing of the full-scale aircraft. This is a risk reduction strategy which Gulfstream has used for previous developmental aircraft.”

The Air Force said fabrication of the full-scale aircraft will take place throughout 2026 and ground testing will start in April 2027. First flight is expected in September 2027.
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Hydroman said:
I think the 4/2027 date is for the manned, subscale demonstrator which Scaled/NG are currently building in Mojave?
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Yes.
Under a cost-sharing agreement for the BWB program, the Air Force will front $230 million, with private investors having pledged roughly $300 million, according to industry officials. The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) granted the airworthiness certification in Mar. 2024 for the 1:8 scale aircraft to begin flight tests.

The test flights were originally planned to begin in 2023, but were pushed back due to supply chain issues. While 2026 will see fabrication of the full-scale aircraft, ground testing will start in Apr. 2027 and the first flight is expected by Sept. 2027.
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Here are a few January 2025 web pages covering the program:
BWB-JetZero.jpg
(Artist's concept of what the full-scale USAF aircraft will look like)
 
Grey Havoc said:
This could possibly lead to Northrop Grumman entering (re-entering in a way) the Civil Aviation sector.
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I'm honestly not sure I see BWBs getting used for passengers outside the military.

Evacuation times are going to cause problems, and people aren't going to want to sit more than about 10ft from aircraft centerline due to rough ride in turbulence.
 
www.rtx.com

RTX's Pratt & Whitney and Collins Aerospace to lead engine integration and supply power units and nacelles for JetZero blended wing aircraft

RTX systems will support development of novel, fuel-efficient aircraft designARLINGTON, Va., March 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- RTX (NYSE: RTX) has entered into three agreements with JetZero, the developer of a novel blended wing body aircraft, to provide key systems for the airframer's full-scale...
www.rtx.com www.rtx.com

  • Pratt & Whitney will integrate its PW2040 engine. The PW2000 engine family offers 37,000 to 43,000 pounds of thrust and powers all models of the Boeing 757 aircraft, with the F117 military derivative engine serving as the exclusive powerplant for the C-17 Globemaster III aircraft. The PW2040 model engine also powers the U.S. Air Force's C-32A aircraft, the military version of the 757.
  • Pratt & Whitney Canada will provide the APS3200, an APU that employs the latest in advanced manufacturing techniques, including the use of composites. Nearly 3,800 APS3200 units have been manufactured and certified for aircraft.
  • Collins Aerospace will design and build nacelle structures including the inlet, fan cowl and fan duct, in addition to fairings and the engine support structure. Collins has designed, certified and manufactured nacelles for large commercial aircraft programs for decades, including Boeing 787, Airbus A350, A320neo, A220 and Embraer E2.
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Mark Nankivil said:
Has the subscale even flown yet? Mark
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JetZero's subscale Pathfinder AV-01 made its first and only flight on June 5, 2024. It subsequently was "destroyed in a post-landing ground fire" that started in an electric motor controller.

Daily Memo: JetZero Passes Blended Wing Body Design Review Milestone | Aviation Week Network

“This model ... did what it was meant to do, which is it proved the aerodynamics of the nose activating take-off gear,” says JetZero CEO Tom O’Leary.
aviationweek.com aviationweek.com
 
raptor82 said:
www.rtx.com

RTX's Pratt & Whitney and Collins Aerospace to lead engine integration and supply power units and nacelles for JetZero blended wing aircraft

RTX systems will support development of novel, fuel-efficient aircraft designARLINGTON, Va., March 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- RTX (NYSE: RTX) has entered into three agreements with JetZero, the developer of a novel blended wing body aircraft, to provide key systems for the airframer's full-scale...
www.rtx.com www.rtx.com
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So, the Usual Suspects that you'd have building this stuff.
 
From the article “JetZero has completed the preliminary design review (PDR) for its full-scale demonstrator following a flight with its subscale Pathfinder AV-1 vehicle that proved the operability of the vehicle’s novel “take-off” landing gear.”

The novel “take off” landing gear was used on the Myasishchev M-4 and seemed to work alright on the 125 production aircraft. I wonder if the mechanism that JetZero on their extending Nose Landing Gear will infringe my patent?
 
Zoo Tycoon said:
From the article “JetZero has completed the preliminary design review (PDR) for its full-scale demonstrator following a flight with its subscale Pathfinder AV-1 vehicle that proved the operability of the vehicle’s novel “take-off” landing gear.”

The novel “take off” landing gear was used on the Myasishchev M-4 and seemed to work alright on the 125 production aircraft.
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What did the M-4 do? A pogo stick like the F-4K?

Zoo Tycoon said:
I wonder if the mechanism that JetZero on their extending Nose Landing Gear will infringe my patent?
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Not if they did their research correctly.
 
Scott Kenny said:
What did the M-4 do? A pogo stick like the F-4K?
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The M4 forward landing gear mechanically extends at the very start of vertical load reduction , …. Within the strut, there’s a lever mechanism that’s bistable, so extends about 1000mm (from memory) before the oleo starts extending. The trigger for this is the pilot applying up elevator to command take of rotation. This extra height at the cg (with the rear LG still on the ground) increases the wing angle of attack so it’s an alternative to take off flap. The A330-340 MLG has a similar bistable mechanism to preform a similar job but that’s to increase tail clearance at rotation. The Boeing 777-300 also increases tail rotation clearance with MLG lift, but no clever bistable mechanisms, just a couple of dirty great hydraulic actuators.

As for the patent, yeah they’ll have to either pay a royalty or design around it. (BTW I don’t get the royalty, while being named inventor, I’m not the patent owner). It’s also worth remembering that royalties are only eligible when commercial sales happen and given the timeline, the patent might have expired.
 
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U.S. Air Force Office Pitches Engine Investment For Mid-Market Airliner | Aviation Week Network

The late-February request from the Air Force reflects a broader strategy to use government funds to seed investments in future commercial products.
aviationweek.com aviationweek.com
The U.S. Air Force is asking for turbofan engine concepts in the 35,000-50,000-lb.-thrust range that could power a wide range of commercial and military aircraft efforts, including a new type of commercial airliner, a military variant of a blended wing body (BWB) airlifter or tanker, and a reengining program for the Boeing C-17 fleet.
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