Advanced lightweight aircraft design configurations for green operations

This paper gives a review of advanced aircraft configurations which are currently under research and development. New aircraft configurations are needed to provide significant reductions in aircraft emissions to achieve the ambitious 50% carbon reduction target by 2050. Although current green technologies provide small improvements to aircraft efficiency and fuel burn, studies into the Blended Wing Body, Box Wing, and morphing aircraft technologies have shown to be feasible and highly instrumental in lighter and more efficient aircraft designs. These designs are estimated to reduce carbon emission by up to 30%. These aircraft designs are not without operation, design and social challenges however they provide hope in achieving a sustainable aviation future and maybe one without reliance on fossil fuels.