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.

FMI: www.boeing.com