The US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is working with Boeing, the leading aircraft manufacturer, on a new design for a “greener” aircraft.
The new design, revealed by NASA, is based on long, thin wings that are fixed by diagonal struts that connect them to the plane, which leads to less air resistance and lower fuel consumption, reports a local Arabic daily.
The design could reduce fuel consumption, and therefore emissions, by up to 30 percent compared to today’s most efficient aircraft, according to NASA.
The partnership relies on technical expertise, facilities, and $425 million from NASA over 7 years, while Boeing and its partners contribute the remaining $725 million, in addition to the technical plan.
“Our goal is to help partnering with Boeing for large-scale production and testing lead to more efficient future commercial aircraft, with benefits to the environment, the commercial aviation industry, and passengers around the world,” NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said in a statement.
“The goal is for the technology to serve approximately 50 percent of the commercial market with single-aisle, short-to-medium-haul aircraft,” Nelson added.