In a recent article by Interesting Engineering, exciting details are revealed about the innovative X-66, a green X-plane designed by NASA and Boeing.
The plane is a fundamental leap towards a more sustainable future, being the first X-plane with a target to help the United States achieve net-zero aviation emissions by 2050.
This groundbreaking project results from a collaboration within the Sustainable Flight Demonstrator (SFD) project, part of the broader Sustainable Flight National Partnership (SFNP) program.
The design of the X-66 is truly revolutionary, incorporating the Transonic Truss-Braced Wing (TTBW) for optimized speed, altitude and minimization of drag, and other proprietary innovations that aim to reduce fuel consumption and emissions by up to 30 percent.
But X-66 is more than just a green X-plane. It's another historical marker on the long pathway of X-planes NASA and Boeing have built over the years. Noteworthy predecessors include the X-1, X-15, X-43, and the latest addition, NASA's X-59, each making significant strides in the aviation field.
Once the X-66 is a reality - expected by 2028 - it will allow for massive testing and validation of concepts and technologies that can transform future aircraft design towards more sustainable and efficient practices. The future of aviation is green, and the X-66 will be a significant step in this direction.
Maverick is the call sign of Mobile Gnosis publisher and editor-in-chief, Matt De Reno. Have a tip, story idea, or news item to share? You can send him an email at