Next generation single-aisle aircraft – Requirements and technological solutions

In recent years, aircraft manufacturers have concentrated on developing new long-haul widebody aircraft, such as Airbus’s A380 and A350XWB and Boeing’s 787 and 747-8. The next challenge for manufacturers and suppliers is the development of new short- and medium-range single-aisle aircraft. This paper outlines how the challenges and quantified goals as developed by the Advisory Council for Aeronautics Research in its Strategic Research Agenda would influence and contribute to the improvement of the next generation of civil transport aircraft. It continues with a discussion on possible aircraft requirements from the viewpoint of an aircraft operator. Subsequently, the most important technological elements available for the next generation single-aisle aircraft are briefly characterised. Using the Council’s objectives for CO2 emissions and noise, as an example it can be shown that a decoupling of air traffic growth and emissions/noise can be achieved.

Research highlights►The paper considers the technical challenges of developing a new generation of narrow-bodied aircraft. ►It demonstrates that it is possible to decouple air traffic growth and emissions. ►It considers the requirements of aircraft operators in terms of their narrow-bodied airframe needs.