Boeing Teases a New Jet that Could Replace 737 MAX

Well, no more over-wing emergency exits!

I talked with the NASA scientists at their exhibit at Airventure this past summer. I joked that that NASA finally discovered the wing strut. (And they laughed at that.)

We went on to talk for about an hour about this new design, how it enabled a significant reduction in drag and how they turned the traditional draggy wing strut into an effective airfoil. They went on to show me a ton of interesting simulations and wind tunnel results.

It's totally fair to ask if Boeing, in its current structure, can execute a completed design for this technology. And whether they can complete it in a reasonable time. But the underlying technology looks very attractive.

Boeing also had on display, in the main Airventure plaza, their sustainability demonstrator plane. That had a huge variety of interesting efficiency and material sustainability features. Dozens really.

I came away from that feeling better about Boeing. I'm DEFINITELY not a fan of their current management, but they still have a foundation of solid and innovative engineers and scientists working there.

Isn't this Boeing receiving government funding (backhanded maybe) but just the same is it not what Boeing and half of Congress were having hissy fits over not too many years back when Airbus received government loans to kick start whatever it was at the time

"Boeing received a $425 million grant from NASA to develop..."

I realize that NASA has continually created technology that changes our daily lives, most of which we're oblivious too, but I have little faith in their ability to drag Boeing's corpse across the finish line here.

Boeing has shown time and time again, that they're no longer an airplane manufacturer but a vehicle to deliver investors short term gains over long term success. Unlike K-Mart, and Sears though, they'll survive, because like the big banks, the Government will never allow them to fail.

This project will never cross the finish line, and we'll be in 2033, talking about the next soon to be cancelled narrow body from Boeing to compete with an Airbus competitor that continues to push Boeing for more and more market share because Boeing simply refuses to compete by producing market demanded aircraft.

First, the location of the article is incorrect. It should be Arlington, Virginia not Arlington, Texas. While Arlington, Texas would be much better place for Boeing Commercial.

Second, this situation further evidences Boeing has lost its way. This is a Boeing - NASA pipedream funded by the taxpayers. This project may or may not come to fruition meanwhile Boeing continues to fritter away time and market share to the Europeans. What happens when some day Comac actually churns out something with quality (don't laugh that day will come)? Boeing is lost and wondering in the proverbial wilderness.

Boeing's move to Northern Virginia was about being close to the Hill and siphoning off more taxpayer dollars. Boeing is beholden to the 'machine.' I believe the only way to revitalize Boeing is to split it into two companies - Boeing Defense & Space and Boeing Commercial. At that point Boeing Commercial would be better suited moving to Texas, Oklahoma, or even Charleston - anywhere far from D.C. Refocus on its engineering talent in the Puget Sound area and drastically refocus the company on its customers, innovation & engineering, and actually making quality aircraft.

The "Moonshiners" will marry a 'revanooer' before this thing flies!

Maybe this is why they’re telling people at my flying club that glider time is good to have?

The fuselage was designed by McDonnell Douglas people who are still hanging in there at Boeing! :)

ADB Safegate will be thrilled as unless it’s wing profile fits a move to a wide bodied airplane gate it will require lots of updates.

Not so new an idea, check out the ultra high aspect ration Hurel Dubois proposed jetliner in the 1950's. Sud Aviation Caravelle beat it in the competition, bringing in the era or rear mounted jet engines. http://landewers.net/Long-Wings.html

I am sceptical as well, but there is a youtube from Scott Manley on the subject with some valid points you should watch.

This looks remarkably like the SUGAR demonstrator back in 2012.

No need for tip sails on those thin wings?

The Sustainable Flight Demonstrator looks iffy and has yet to be proven in tests. Personally I am dubious regarding its feasibility as a wide body as well.

Uhhhh, where’s the landing gear supposed to go?

let's see how they screw this one up!

I believe this when I see the new 737-99 employing this technology being delivered by Boeing, complete with MCAS-99 so that pilots can pretend they're flying a 737NG or maybe even a Cessna.

How Quaint! Combining a DC-9 and an AN-2. Maybe a Bi-Polar express?

Might considera kingpost also.

There is nothing new about using long slender wings for greater efficiency. Gulfstream has been doing this for decades on it's still top of the line business jets. Their L/D ratios are superior to Boeing airliners and performance is top notch. But to be self supporting with a lot more fuel in the wings, and/or with lighter composite materials, then you need a strut for a high wing design and of course the 3 ton engines are out there too.

And of course gliders use high aspect ratio wings too, but without sweep, this limits the speed.

Don't you just love it when someone reinvents the wheel with taxpayer dollars and calls it new and innovative?

NASA infamously spends billions to develop... Tang and velcro. But you can't blame Boeing for pulling up a chair to the handout table.

Better put some solar panels on the roof for power or Al and John will not be happy.

Looks like the jump needed to pass Airbus in single aisle planes and get back on top. Newly developed engines could be hung from the wings without needing to move them forward to get ground clearance. If the hull is composite carbon fiber plastic then the plane will be very suited for the frequent take offs and landings associated with medium haul planes.

Yeah this is never happening for mass produced travel. The wing braces are because the design calls for extraordinarily long wings.... that [checks notes] wouldn't fit in gates. This is just another government boondoggle, no good waste of money by the Biden administration.

Hah, did they reinvent the biplane? Hmmm, maybe gates will need wider spacing with those long wings.

How is this any less a subsidy to Boeing than the subsidy that forced Bombadier to sell the CSeries to Airbus after Boeing complained about how the CSeries was subsidized? So hypocritical!.

Boeing is a soiled company - maybe a team up with NASA gives them back a bit of credibility

One of my first thoughts was “Misdirection to whitewash bad 737 MAX press.” À la Rodney King, “Can’t we just find a better way?”

Admit failure, or (create an elephant in the room and) pretend (aka lie) otherwise. Unfortunately it seems it's the toxic US business culture.

Culture never looks at itself. In everything is the seed of its own destruction.

Hmm, I think a pilotless, 1-4 seater, transcontinental jet is more likely for success. No one "really" cares about efficiency as we have plenty of oil for 169 years and natural gas for 300 years. Electric will not happen for another 50 yrs, and then it'll be the same as installing solar panels on your house today, a 150 yr ROI! Jetsons... bring it on!