New US Air Force $235million jet with futuristic blended wing design to be built

The Air Force Operational Energy Office expects completion of initial flight testing as early as 2027 - the jet features a high-efficiency design blending the aircraft body into a wing for reduced drag, increased lift, improved fuel efficiencyNew US Air Force $235million jet with futuristic blended wing design to be builtThe US Air Force will invest $235million to help a start-up manufacturer build a highly efficient state-of-the-art jet. JetZero and the Air Force, which announced the award Wednesday, say they hope that the full-size demonstrator plane will be ready to fly in 2027. The Air Force said technology advancements in materials and manufacturing have made the production of larger-scale demonstrators possible. Dr. Ravi Chaudhary, assistant secretary of the Air Force for Energy, Installations, and Environment, added: "It’s been a little over a hundred years since a few brave Airmen took to the skies and proved the first aerial refueling capability, extending the global reach of our Air Force. "This announcement marks another game-changing milestone for the Air Force in our efforts to maintain the advantage of airpower effectiveness against any future competitors."