
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%.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

MAVERIC model: Airbus unveiled a model of MAVERIC at the Singapore Air Show on February 11, 2020.


