Airbus MAVERIC
| Industry | Aerospace |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1970 |
| Headquarters | Toulouse , France |
| Products | Aircraft, UAVs, aerospace products |
| Website | www |
The Airbus MAVERIC (Model Aircraft for Validation and Experimentation of Robust Innovative Controls) serves as a prototype blended wing body (BWB) unmanned aerial vehicle created to demonstrate the feasibility of a future full-size BWB airliner. Airbus anticipates that this concept could achieve a reduction in fuel usage by as much as 20%.
Design and development
Initiated in 2017 under the AirbusUpNext innovation initiative, the MAVERIC project focuses on enhancing the controllability of blended wing body aircraft. This radio-controlled model features a wingspan measuring 3.2 meters and is propelled by two engines situated atop the rear fuselage. Each engine includes a vertical stabilizer, together forming a twin tail arrangement.
Airbus suggests that adapting the MAVERIC's design to a full-scale aircraft could lead to a 20% decrease in fuel consumption relative to traditional single-aisle airplanes. Moreover, placing the engines above the fuselage is anticipated to lower noise emissions, contributing to improved environmental sustainability.
Operational history
The MAVERIC completed its maiden flight in June 2019 at a confidential location in France. Its first public appearance was on February 11, 2020, during the Singapore Airshow, where Airbus announced that research activities would continue into the second quarter of 2020.
On September 21, 2020, coinciding with Zero Emissions Day, Airbus revealed three hydrogen-powered Airbus ZEROe concepts. Among these was a large blended wing design influenced by the MAVERIC, underscoring Airbus’s commitment to advancing eco-friendly aviation solutions.