A vision of 2050
© Airbus S.A.S 2010
Airbus has unveiled a concept aircraft which shows what air transport could look like in 2050. Ultra long and slim wings, semi-embedded engines, a U-shaped tail, and a lightweight ‘intelligent’ body are among the features of the aircraft, which was designed with environmental efficiency firmly in mind.
The Airbus design brief was to meet the expectations of the passengers of the future, taking aircraft materials, aerodynamics, cabins and engines into consideration. Images of the aircraft were displayed at this week’s Farnborough Air Show. Charles Champion, executive vice president engineering at Airbus, said aspects of the aircraft could become reality by 2030 if advancements in existing technologies continue apace, although 2050 was the stated timeframe.
“The Airbus Concept Plane represents an engineer’s dream about what an aircraft could look like in the long term future. It’s not a real aircraft and all the technologies it features, though feasible, are not likely to come together in the same manner,” said Champion. “Here we are stretching our imagination and thinking beyond our usual boundaries. With the Airbus Concept Plane we want to stimulate young people from all over the world to engage with us so that we can continue to share the benefits of air transport while also looking after the environment.”
Airbus also gazed into the future of aircraft interiors when designing the radical aircraft. Among the ideas it incorporates are morphing seats made from ecological, self-cleaning materials, which change shape for “a snug fit”; walls that become see-through at the touch of a button, affording 360 degree views of the world below; and holographic projections of virtual decors. And some of the systems onboard the 2050 aircraft will be powered by ‘green’ energy sources, such as fuel cells, solar panels or even our own body heat.
It is a rather fantastic vision of the future; it will need to be matched by an equally fantastic commitment to innovation and development!
