Boeing tells ANN the latest round of wind-tunnel testing for the
new Boeing 747-8 concluded recently, marking another milestone for
the program launched in November by Cargolux Airlines and Nippon
Cargo Airlines.
The latest tests included high- and low-speed lines development
and fine-tuning of the noise characteristics on the fully
integrated airframe.
"The focus of these latest tests was to finalize the aerodynamic
lines of the airplane and begin the development of design loads,"
said Roy Eggink, chief engineer of Product Development for the
747-8 Program.
High-speed testing was done with the high-speed model of the
747-8F at the Boeing Transonic Wind Tunnel in Seattle, WA. The
model is a three-percent scale model of the actual plane, and
measures about 2.2 meters (87 inches) long with a wingspan of 1.8
meters (74 inches).
The low-speed model of the 747-8 was used at the Low Speed
Acoustic Facility (LSAF) at Qinetiq in Farnborough, England, and
noise testing was also done in the LSAF at Qinetiq.
Boeing says more than 3,000 hours of wind-tunnel time have been
logged to date in the development of the 747-8, which blends
technology developed for the upcoming 787 Dreamliner with the
tried-and-true 747 platform.
The 747-8 will be
offered in two configurations. The Intercontinental passenger
variant will be stretched 3.6 m (11.7 ft) compared to the 747-400,
to accommodate 34 additional seats in a typical three-class
configuration. The only jetliner in the 400- to 500-seat category
(Boeing has all-but-ceded the market for planes larger than that to
Airbus), it will have a range of 8,000 nm.
The 747-8 Freighter will be 5.6 m (18.3 ft) longer than the
747-400 freighter. With a total payload capacity of 140 metric
tonnes (154 tons), including tare weight, the 747-8F provides 16
percent more cargo revenue volume than the -400. The additional
117m (4,124 ft) from the longer fuselage offers space for four
additional main-deck pallets, two additional lower-hold pallets and
two additional lower-hold containers. Cargo can be loaded and
unloaded on the 747-8F using both the nose and side doors for
maximum speed and efficiency.
Both freighter and passenger versions of the new 747 will
feature GE's 787-technology GEnx engines, allowing the aircraft to
meet Stage 4 and QC2 noise requirements, as well as reducing
emissions. Both aircraft will feature updated avionics and an
improved wing.