Article Posted on : - Mar 06, 2011

A prototype of the Northrop YB-49 flying wing bomber in flight. Photo: northrop.host.sk

LONDON (PTI): Sleek jets could soon become the new travel option for fliers, thanks to US space agency NASA which plans to introduce the futuristic aircraft latest by 2025.

NASA has revealed designs for quiet-running, energy -efficient planes which owe their existence to the Northrop YB-49 "flying wing" aircraft designed for the US Air Force in the 1950s but never entered service, the 'Daily Express' said.

Aerospace companies Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin and Boeing came up with drawings towards the end of last year.

All three secured contracts from NASA to develop and also test their designs, meaning the aircraft could be taking to the skies in the next 10 years.

NASA is, in fact, aiming to create planes that are faster, bigger, more efficient and quieter than at present.

The sleek jets need to have a range of 7,000 miles at 85 per cent of the speed of sound while carrying between 50,000 pounds and 100,000 pounds of cargo or passengers.

The Northrop YB-49 "flying wing" aircraft was developed by Northrop for the US Air Force shortly after World War II. It was the jet development of the piston-engined Northrop XB-35 and YB-35 Flying Wing, and the two YB-49s actually built were both converted YB-35 test aircraft.

The jet-powered Flying Wing never entered production, being passed over in favour of the more conventional Convair B-36 Peacemaker piston engine-driven design.