Overview
- Researchers at the Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo Aerodinámico de China tested a 1:52 stainless‑steel blended‑wing‑body model in a transonic tunnel to measure stability, pressure and airflow.
- The published wind‑tunnel results showed a peak lift‑to‑drag ratio near 20 at speeds below Mach 0.7 and evaluated stability up to about Mach 0.8 for the scale model.
- CARDC’s conceptual full‑size parameters reported in coverage describe an 85‑metre wingspan, 43‑metre length, roughly 1,395 m² wing area and an interior layout that could seat more than 800 passengers, but no full‑scale prototype or production plan has been announced.
- An 85‑metre wingspan would exceed typical ICAO Code F limits and therefore a full‑scale version would need major changes to taxiways, gates, hangars and ground handling at many airports.
- Experts caution that scale‑model aerodynamics do not prove commercial‑scale fuel savings or safety and that the program remains an experimental validation with no manufacturer, certification path or timeline disclosed.