Incredible blended wing plane ‘Horizon’ that can carry...

AN INCREDIBLE blended wing plane design from the future that could revolutionise air travel is now one step closer to reality. American aerospace manufacturer Natilus has unveiled two futuristic planes that boast cutting-edge blended-wing-body designs. The Horizon is set to cut aircraft emissions by half and burn over a quarter less fuel than a traditional commercial aircraft. All while carrying up to 200 passengers alongside a standard cargo payload.

Image Credit: The Sun [Illustration of a flying-wing aircraft in flight.]

Top Canadian airline Nolina has announced a deal to purchase a fleet of Horizon's sister variant Kona which has been designed as a cargo plane. Just like the Horizon, Kona boasts a radical design that blends the wings into the body - which helps increase aerodynamic efficiency. Natilus has successfully tested a demonstrator model for Kona and is now developing a full-size prototype model. If the deal with Canadian airline Nolina goes well, Kona could be in service by the early 2030s.

Image Credit: The Sun [Illustration of Natilus's Horizon passenger aircraft flying above the clouds.]

And this could eventually open the doors for the futuristic Horizon to enter commercial service. Horizon is the company's first passenger aircraft, set to debut in the early 2030s. The jetliner boasts a customisable cabin and seat layouts for commercial flyers, and will reportedly be much quieter. The unique placement of the engine towards the back. will help deflect engine noise away from the cabin.

Image Credit: The Sun [Illustration of two blended wing body aircraft designs, Horizon and Kona, with specifications.]

The Horizon also offers 40% more volume in each aircraft, whilst being 25% lighter. Routes include New York to London and LA to Boston. Natilus is a San Diego-based company developing a family of hyper-efficient blended-wing-body (BWB) aircraft designs. BWB designs include a flattish fuselage that smoothly blends outward into a pair of wide wings, with no clear dividing line separating the wing from the body.

Several key benefits come along with this design, and that is why commercial aircraft giants Boeing and Airbus are both tinkering with the idea - but have failed to put it across the testing stage. The biggest benefit of the design is the fuselage's aerodynamic shape which reduces drag and increases lift, enabling the plane to cruise at higher altitudes in thinner air on less fuel. It contributes much more lift than a typical tube shape, so you don't need as much wing surface.

Image Credit: The Sun [Illustration of two aircraft flying over a forest.]

And it is much more aerodynamically stable, so you don't need a tail wing which ends up achieving dramatic reductions in drag and weight, leading to smaller engines and further weight savings. Aleksey Matyushev, CEO and co-founder of Natilus said: "The commercial aviation industry is looking for real solutions to become more sustainable, more efficient, and more profitable. "With the Horizon, we're introducing improved aviation economics that benefits the industry while helping safeguard our planet for future generations.".

The blended wing design, also known as a blended wing body (BWB), merges the wings and fuselage into a seamless structure, offering significant aerodynamic advantages. By reducing drag and optimising lift-to-drag ratios, it delivers improved fuel efficiency, making it an eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative to traditional tube-and-wing aircraft. The design also generates lift across its entire body, further enhancing performance and range.

A key benefit of the blended wing configuration is its spacious interior, which allows for increased payload capacity and flexibility in layout. his makes it ideal for various applications, such as passenger transport, cargo, and military operations. Additionally, its structural efficiency reduces overall weight while maintaining strength, contributing to better durability and operational performance.