This Blended Wing Supersonic Concept Will Fly at 1,141 mph and Carry 200 Passengers

Blended wing aircraft concepts are nothing new, we have seen many conceptual designs over the last decade, but none has become a fully operational aircraft to date. Oscar Vinals of OVI design new blended wing concept is different from previous blended wing concept in that it can fly at supersonic speeds of up to 1,141 mph and carry 200 passengers. Previous blended wing concepts from Boeing for example were able to carry up to 800 passengers.

The Barcelona based OVI design new Sky OV concept is a blended wing concept with innovative technologies that enable it to achieve greater speed, efficiency and sustainability. The design is in keeping with blended wing designs we have seen so far except it takes on a more arrow shape when viewed from above. It features four aerodynamic wings that fold up when not in use to save space while on the ground.

The concept is powered by four bladeless turbojet engines embedded within the blended body. This may explain why the aircraft carries less passengers than other blended wing concepts where the entirety of the blended body is used for passenger seating with engines mounted on exterior pylons. The engines on the Sky OV themselves are innovative, borrowing from Dyson’s motor for the all-electric Airbus A320E.

The Sky OV concept is powered by a “Fluidic Propulsion Air Multiplier” (FPAM) system that essentially accelerates a consistent stream of air without exposed blades. The engine operates on pulse detonation where controlled explosions are used to generate thrust. According to Vinals, pulse detonation engines are more efficient than traditional jet engines at high velocities and possess the ability to propel an aircraft to four or five times the speed of sound.

To keep the aircraft sustainable, the engines will run on a mix of hydrogen fuel and electric power to ensure the aircraft remains as a zero-emission platform. In addition, “solar dots” embedded into the top of the fuselage produces electricity from the sun’s rays. Currently very little is known of the interior of the Sky OV concept with current focus being placed on the exterior and propulsion, but we can surmise that it will be fitted with all the latest commodities and luxuries for economy, first and business class flying.

The aviation industry is currently witnessing a transformation with many companies vying to produce the world’s first commercially viable supersonic aircraft. Competitors like Boom Supersonic, Spike Aerospace all have competing concepts. Only time will tell which of these companies will be successful in resurrecting supersonic travel from the olden day of the Concorde.

…out of a Star Wars film!! The supersonic “Sky OV” concept plane – YouTube