Design of a Flying V Subsonic Transport

Abstract

Ten years after the initial sketches of the Flying V were made, we intend to give an overview of the development of this concept until the present day. The Flying V is a new concept for an efficient aircraft. It is a pure flying wing which includes a V-shaped passenger cabin. In this work, we describe how the concept developed - from the first drawings, the reasoning behind the concept and the design of the planform geometry, to the introduction of a structural solution for the pressurized cabin, to the design of a family of aircraft, detailed investigations of handling qualities and the interior layout. As of today, the concept promises a 20% lower fuel burn than a conventional reference aircraft on the same mission with the same capacity and the same wingspan, assuming current manufacturing techniques and current engine technology. Research activities on the Flying V have been continuously increasing over the past decade. Projects are ongoing in fields such as aerodynamics, structures and manufacturing, flight dynamics and control, the environmental impact of the design, aircraft integration, noise, and airport operation