Blended-Wing Carbon-Manufactured Airplane To Be Recognized At European Conference

The JEC Composites Magazine Special Prize will be awarded to KittyHawk ... described by its developer VX Aerospace as the first carbon blended-wing airplane ... at the JEC Europe – Composites Show and Conferences next month.

Chomarat, the developer of the carbon fiber material used to manufacture the airplane, said in a news release announcing the award that the VX-1 KittyHawk is "a revolutionary airplane that takes the well-known advantages of traditional blended-wing aircraft and associates them with today’s state-of-the-art concepts, materials and manufacturing techniques. This one-of-a-kind configuration combines dynamic stability and aerodynamic efficiency. In addition, thanks to the use of high-performance composites, the structure has low density, high damage tolerance and fewer parts," the release said.

“We are very proud to receive a special award from the JEC Group for the VX-1
KittyHawk," said VX-Aerospace CEO Bob Skillen. "It recognizes the innovative, high-potential aspect of our project internationally. We’d like to thank our partner Chomarat, whose C-Ply reinforcement made it structurally possible to develop the KittyHawk, as well as Stanford University, North Carolina State University and University of South Carolina."

The C-Ply composite reinforcements developed by Chomarat are designed to optimize the fibre performance. The company says they give the structure properties like low weight, structural efficiency, durability and make it easier to manufacture. These properties and the innovative aircraft design allow for a large payload space.

Furthermore, VX Aerospace says that for the same payload space, the aircraft's carbon footprint can be reduced compared to other aircraft through the optional use of alternative fuels such as compressed natural gas (CNG). When CNG is used, the VX-1 KittyHawk emits 40% less pollution than other aircraft.

(Image from file)

FMI: www.chomarat.com