The Sustainable Flight Demonstrator (SFD) project is an innovative initiative devised to propel the future of aviation toward sustainability. At its core, the project involves the development of the X-66A research aircraft, a groundbreaking addition to NASA's X-planes designed specifically to contribute to the realization of net-zero aviation greenhouse gas emissions. Apart from testing the Transonic Truss-Braced Wing (TTBW) airframe configuration, the X-66A also serves as a platform to implement advancements in propulsion systems, materials, and system architectures. The result is a game-changing, single-aisle airplane capable of reducing fuel consumption and emissions by up to 30% compared to today's fleet. In collaboration with major U.S. airlines, the SFD project encapsulates a shared vision of a greener, more responsible future for aviation.

About The Sustainable Flight Demonstrator Project

The Sustainable Flight Demonstrator project aims to collaborate with industry, academia, and government organizations to identify, select, and advance crucial airframe technologies, such as innovative wing designs, with a high likelihood of being implemented in the next generation of single-aisle airliners.

At the heart of this project lies an experimental aircraft, a demonstrator that will be developed through a partnership between NASA and The Boeing Company.

The primary objective of this full-scale research aircraft is to validate the Transonic Truss Braced Wing design, which has the potential to be widely adopted by future commercial single-aisle transport aircraft. Additionally, other advanced technologies will be incorporated into the demonstrator to achieve significant reductions in fuel consumption and emissions, aiming for up to 30%.

The tentative plan is for the aircraft to take flight in 2028. The results obtained from the flight tests will play a crucial role in guiding industry decisions regarding the design of new single-aisle aircraft for the 2030s.

Furthermore, the flight tests conducted on the aircraft and its supporting systems will greatly contribute to enhancing the aviation industry's understanding of sustainable aviation practices, utilizing the latest technologies available. This will enable the validation of emerging technologies and bring the single-aisle fleet closer to the ambitious goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, as outlined in the U.S. Aviation Climate Action Plan.

The demonstrator aircraft represents one facet of the comprehensive Sustainable Flight National Partnership that NASA has established with industry leaders.

The Sustainable Flight Demonstration project is an integral part of NASA's Integrated Aviation Systems Program.