Airbus reveals futuristic blended-wing aircraft design | CNN

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Airbus reveals futuristic blended-wing aircraft design

Updated 6:10 AM EST, Tue February 11, 2020
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<strong>Airbus reveals blended wing aircraft: </strong>European aircraft maker Airbus has revealed a futuristic "blended wing" design, seen here in a graphic rendering, that promises to cut fuel consumption up to 20%.
Airbus reveals blended wing aircraft: European aircraft maker Airbus has revealed a futuristic "blended wing" design, seen here in a graphic rendering, that promises to cut fuel consumption up to 20%.
Courtesy of Airbus
<strong>Meet MAVERIC: </strong>Airbus created MAVERIC, an aircraft demonstrator, to test the design. Pictured here, the "blended wing body" demonstrator is two meters long and 3.2 meters wide. Tests have been underway since June 2019, but the project was kept under wraps until this month.
Meet MAVERIC: Airbus created MAVERIC, an aircraft demonstrator, to test the design. Pictured here, the "blended wing body" demonstrator is two meters long and 3.2 meters wide. Tests have been underway since June 2019, but the project was kept under wraps until this month.
Courtesy of Airbus
<strong>Advancing technology:</strong> According to Airbus, MAVERIC helps accelerate understanding of new aircraft configurations and matures the technology necessary to fly such a radically different aircraft, seen here in graphic rendering.
Advancing technology: According to Airbus, MAVERIC helps accelerate understanding of new aircraft configurations and matures the technology necessary to fly such a radically different aircraft, seen here in graphic rendering.
Courtesy of Airbus
<strong>Cabin design:</strong> In addition to the environmental benefit, Airbus says the plane's unusual and spacious configuration opens up new possibilities for cabin design, as shown in several design renderings released by the plane maker.
Cabin design: In addition to the environmental benefit, Airbus says the plane's unusual and spacious configuration opens up new possibilities for cabin design, as shown in several design renderings released by the plane maker.
Courtesy of Airbus
<strong>Quieter inflight experience: </strong>Airbus says noise would likely be reduced too, due to the plane's "shielded" engine, which is mounted above the central body of the aircraft.
Quieter inflight experience: Airbus says noise would likely be reduced too, due to the plane's "shielded" engine, which is mounted above the central body of the aircraft.
Courtesy of Airbus
<strong>Futuristic concept: </strong>Tests will reportedly continue on MAVERIC until mid-2020 but the company says there's no specific time line for entry into service.
Futuristic concept: Tests will reportedly continue on MAVERIC until mid-2020 but the company says there's no specific time line for entry into service.
Courtesy of Airbus
<strong>MAVERIC model:</strong> Airbus unveiled a model of MAVERIC at the Singapore Air Show on February 11, 2020.
MAVERIC model: Airbus unveiled a model of MAVERIC at the Singapore Air Show on February 11, 2020.
ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP via Getty Images

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