Airbus MAVERIC

MAVERIC
General information
TypeExperimental unmanned aerial vehicle
ManufacturerAirbus
Number built1
History
Manufactured2017
First flightJune 2019

The Airbus MAVERIC (Model Aircraft for Validation and Experimentation of Robust Innovative Controls)[1] is an experimental blended wing body (BWB) unmanned aerial vehicle. It was built as a demonstrator for a possible full-scale BWB airliner. Airbus claims that this design can reduce fuel consumption by up to 20%.

Design and development

According to an Airbus press release, development of the MAVERIC began in 2017 as part of the AirbusUpNext research program.[2] The primary purpose of the MAVERIC is to research controllability improvements for blended wing body aircraft. The MAVERIC is a radio-controlled aircraft and has a wingspan of 3.2 meters.[1][3] Power is provided by two engines mounted over the rear of the aircraft, with each having a vertical stabilizer, creating a twin tail arrangement.[3]

According to Airbus, a full-scale development of the MAVERIC would have fuel consumption reduced by 20% compared to single-aisle airliners. The location of the engines above the fuselage would also reduce noise pollution.[4]

Operational history

The MAVERIC made its first flight in June 2019 at an undisclosed location in France.[1][5] The public reveal of the aircraft took place on February 11, 2020, at the Singapore Airshow, where it was announced that the research program would continue until the second quarter of that year.[1]

On September 21, 2020, Zero Emissions Day, Airbus revealed three concepts for the hydrogen-powered Airbus ZEROe; the largest of which was a blended wing aircraft based on the MAVERIC.[citation needed]

Specifications (MAVERIC)

Data from [2]

General characteristics

  • Length: 2 m (6 ft 7 in)
  • Wingspan: 3.2 m (10 ft 6 in)
  • Wing area: 2.25 m2 (24.2 sq ft) (approx.)

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References

  1. ^ a b c d Hitti, Natashah (19 February 2020). "Airbus unveils working model of its fuel-saving "giant flying wing"". Dezeen. Archived from the original on 13 September 2023. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Airbus reveals its blended wing aircraft demonstrator". Airbus. 11 February 2020. Archived from the original on 5 December 2021. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  3. ^ a b Delbert, Caroline (February 2020). "Will People Fly In This 'Blended Wing' Airplane? Airbus Built a Prototype To Find Out". Popular Mechanics. Archived from the original on 29 April 2023. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  4. ^ Adams, Eric. "Airbus' Maveric Brings B-2 Bomber Style to Passenger Jets". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
  5. ^ "Airbus Unveils Blended Wing Body Demonstrator | Aviation Week Network". aviationweek.com. Retrieved 2024-07-01.