NASA and Boeing indefinitely pause experimental, sustainable plane project worth $1.15 billion

The research has now been redirected towards thin-wing technology, stated NASA and Boeing.

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An illustration of the X-66 aircraft that Boeing was planning to make through NASA’s Sustainable Flight Demonstrator project. (Cover Image Source: NASA)

Boeing and NASA have paused the development of the X-66 full-scale Sustainable Flight Demonstrator indefinitely. They will divert their attention to perfecting the thin-wing technology, which is the highlight of the new aircraft, as reported by The Seattle Times. However, the aircraft project will be put on hold in its entirety, and its engineers will be reassigned. Engineering resources are being moved from the program and allocated to support Boeing's 777X and final 737 MAX production. This will push forward the delayed certification and pave the way for delivery in 2026, according to Aviation Week Network.

A static exhibit aircraft from NASA at sunrise in the 2022 Miramar Airshow in San Diego, California, September 23, 2022 (Photo by Bill Chizek / Getty Images)

The aircraft underwent wind tunnel testing and certain preliminary developments, including a modified McDonnell Douglas MD-90 airframe. The experimental aircraft sports long, thin wings that can increase fuel efficiency, lowering carbon emissions. Moreover, Boeing proposed a new research project that focuses on ground-based testbeds to demonstrate the thin-wing technology and its potential, per NASA. The X-66 flight demonstrator currently has a “transonic truss-braced wing concept,” which can be modified by the results of the testbed. Configuration studies and transonic truss-braced wing concept research shall continue.

A Proteus aircraft, part of NASA's CRYSTAL-FACE mission, returns to base at Naval Air Station on July 16, 2002, in Key West, Florida. (Photo by Bill Ingalls / NASA / Getty Images)

The X-66 flight demonstrator's design and hardware, be it acquired or modified, will be retained. They aim for an “updated approach” that will “focus on demonstrating thin-wing technology with broad applications for multiple aircraft configurations.” The timing, however, is interesting as the project is being put on hold when Boeing's current CEO and President, Kelly Ortberg, plans to make budget cuts. NASA is also experiencing a severe shortage of funds, with its 2026 budget being cut significantly.

The Super Guppy is approaching Boeing Field to make its third and final delivery of the Space Shuttle trainer in Seattle on August 9, 2012 (Photo by njpPhoto) — The Super Guppy is approaching Boeing Field to make its third and final delivery of the Space Shuttle trainer in Seattle on August 9, 2012 (Photo by njpPhoto / Getty Images)

Despite this decision, Boeing stated that they were confident in the potential of this project as the change would justify the construction of a whole new aircraft. They also attested that, alongside advanced propulsion systems, a thin-wing next-generation airliner could be fuel efficient by 30% or more. “Our intent is to build a thin-wing manufacturing demonstrator, together with a flight controls rig to really mature those technologies for those future generations of commercial aircraft,” Boeing Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Todd Citron said.

The Proteus aircraft, an experimental model designed by Burt Rutan for Scaled Composites, is in flight above Mojave, California. (Photo by Jim Sugar / Getty Images)

This experimental aircraft project was the flagship of NASA's aim towards net-zero aviation emissions by 2050 under the Sustainable Flight Demonstrator project. The project was expected to have its first flight in 2028, and the X-66 was NASA's largest X-plane. The US federal government is actively moving away from aviation sustainability projects, as per Simple Flying. Airbus is working on an extra-performing wing demonstrator and Ultra Performance Wing (UPWing) initiative for fuel efficiency, with a completed mockup and test flight.

Initially, NASA proposed to spend $425 million on aircraft development, while Boeing and industry partners attested to $725 million. The change in research and development plans could have effects on these initial terms, though no official news on the numbers is out. Citron confirmed that these aspects were in talks with NASA, though much had to be achieved before a formal sit-down. Boeing's proposal to further advance thin-wing technology helps NASA's ultimate goal of US aviation's technological leadership and next-generation airliner efficiency.