4 ms·
patents are typically valid for 20 years or so depending on jurisdiction. So unless Boeing has done a bunch of research/patenting after the year 2000 is not som
by zprunger 7y ago
patents are typically valid for 20 years or so depending on jurisdiction. So unless Boeing has done a bunch of research/patenting after the year 2000 is not something to worry about.
- hef19898 7y agoThere have been a lot of flying wings or blended wing bodies through history. Horten (Germany) in the 30s and 40s, Northrop since the 40s and some russian models from 30s and 40s as well. The concept isn't that new. It just didn't make that much sense so far in non-military, non-stealth applications. Excluding UAVs, the B-2 has build the most with 21, followed by the Horten H.III gluider from WW2 with 19 or so. One issue could be airport infrastructure, the wing span would take up a lot of terminal / gate space. But if these planes are economically enough, who knows?