Boeing Completes Flight Tests for Next Generation Inlet Technology

Boeing has completed flight tests of its Next Generation Inlet technology on a Trent 1000-powered 787-9. The campaign, part of Boeing's ecoDemonstrator Explorer program, took place at the company's test facility in Glasgow, Montana. The modified inlet is designed to reduce weight and aerodynamic drag by being shorter than standard engine intakes.

The flight tests accumulated about 52 hours across 12 flights, including a ferry from Columbia, South Carolina. Boeing has now collected data for further analysis and development of the technology. Rolls-Royce collaborated with Boeing on the project under the FAA's Continuous Lower Energy, Emissions and Noise (CLEEN) program.

The shorter inlet may offer fuel efficiency improvements, but reducing its length also leaves less internal surface area for acoustic treatment, potentially increasing fan noise. To mitigate this effect, Boeing fitted the modified inlet with a new acoustic treatment. The target is to reduce fuel consumption by up to 2% and decrease noise by up to 1.5 decibels.

Boeing tested 'intelligent operations' during the campaign, which involve optimized approach and departure procedures to minimize both fuel consumption and airport noise. According to Aviation Week, these procedures could cut noise by another 3 to 5 decibels.