Boeing has unveiled its latest ecoDemonstrator based on the company’s 777-200ER and the aircraft features a livery that honors a decade of testing to reduce fuel use, emissions and noise.
The latest ecoDemonstrator will test about 30 new technologies aimed at improving sustainability and safety for the aerospace industry, including a water conservation system and technologies to improve operational efficiency, a press release from the company said.
During six months of flight and ground tests starting this summer, the 2022 ecoDemonstrator will evaluate the small vertical vanes on the wing that improve aerodynamic efficiency during takeoff and landing.
The test will be done in collaboration with NASA and SMART vortex generators, Boeing noted.
Stan Deal, Commercial Airplanes president and CEO, Boeing, said, 'The ecoDemonstrator programme's rigorous testing of new technologies further enhances the environmental performance of our products and services and is invaluable to continuously improving safety.'
Additionally, evaluation on system to conserve onboard water and reduce weight as well as fuel use, additively manufactured airplane and engine parts to help reduce fuel use and manufacturing waste, an environmentally preferred refrigerant and a new fire suppression agent to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, heads-up enhanced vision system for pilots to improve operational efficiency along continued comprehensive study of the impact of sustainable aviation fuel toward the reduction of emissions, will also be conducted.
Interestingly, the company noted that for all flight tests, the 777-200ER will fly on a highest approved blend of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) available.
Chris Raymond, Chief Sustainability Officer, Boeing, said, “The Boeing ecoDemonstrator program brings together the two most important ingredients to a more sustainable future – innovative technologies and partnerships with customers, suppliers, government agencies and academia.”
Since its initial flights in 2012, under the ecoDemonstrator programme, Boeing has tested about 230 technologies to help decarbonize aviation, improve operational efficiency and enhance safety and the passenger experience.
Moreover, a third of tested technologies have progressed onto Boeing's products and services.