Model of Lockheed-Georgia Omega cargo aircraft concept circa 1985. The Omega is an example of an integrated wing/propulsion system concept. A long cylindrical fan is mounted near the trailing edge of the wing, crosswise to the direction of the plane's travel, a feature that has caused the airplane to be known as a "Sternwheeler." This transverse fan is powered by jet engines, whose intakes can be seen about halfway to the wing tips and atop the rear of the fuselage. The inlets for the fan itself are above and below the wing. Air taken in is exhausted on the trailing edge of the wing to provide vectored thrust--an airstream that can be directed where desired. Ducted engine air is also streamed across the canard along its length--"spanwise blowing"--in order to increase lift and avert canard stalling.
Length 103 feet with a wingspan of 119 feet. Takeoff and landing distance is 2000 feet. Maximum range is 3,600 nm, at a cruise speed of Mach .85 (585 mph) with a 125,000 lb payload. Not expected to be built before the year 2000 due to the complexity of the engine design.
Source: "Science Newsfront" by Arthur Fisher, Popular Science, February 1985.
Length 103 feet with a wingspan of 119 feet. Takeoff and landing distance is 2000 feet. Maximum range is 3,600 nm, at a cruise speed of Mach .85 (585 mph) with a 125,000 lb payload. Not expected to be built before the year 2000 due to the complexity of the engine design.
Source: "Science Newsfront" by Arthur Fisher, Popular Science, February 1985.