Passenger plane with bird-inspired wings
Airbus introduces technologies expected to appear on new generation aircraft at the Airbus Summit 2025 taking place in Toulouse, France, March 24-25. With the goal of reducing environmental impact, improving operational performance and reducing costs, the new aircraft will feature many outstanding innovations, including bird-inspired wings, fuel-efficient engines and advanced materials technology.
The next generation of Airbus airliners will have bird-like wings: lighter, thinner and longer, helping to create more lift and reduce drag. Although longer, the new wing model has the ability to fold, allowing the aircraft to easily move in limited spaces and is compatible with today's standard airport gates.
Airbus is also developing a new RISE open-rotor engine, which is expected to reduce fuel consumption by 20% compared to the current engine and can run on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). In addition to the new engine, Airbus also introduced hybrid technology, in which lithium-ion or solid-state batteries and high-voltage systems not only provide thrust but also help operate on-board functions such as the air conditioning system or lights, thereby reducing fuel consumption.
Another improvement is the materials. Airbus wants to move from carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) to carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic polymer (CFRTP) composites. The new material is an improved version of CFRP because it can be reshaped and reprocessed after forming, is faster to produce, has better impact resistance, can be recycled and recast, and has cheaper processing costs.
Future passenger aircraft will also be more digital, with highly automated and connected systems capable of instant self-updates and faster data processing. In addition, new automatic assistance systems will make flights safer, helping pilots handle complex tasks with less distraction.
Airbus innovations are set to redefine air transport, helping the sector become more efficient, sustainable and smarter. From nature-inspired wings to digital automation, the company is shaping the next generation of aircraft, making future flights cleaner, quieter and more cost-effective.
Thu Thao (According to New Atlas)