Dan Catchpole

It takes nine hours to fly the 4,799 miles from Seattle to London and about one hour to drive from Heathrow to Farnborough, with the latter stage representing one-ninth of the time to go less than 1 percent of the distance. That is the sort of problem that Boeing aims to solve with its new venture, Boeing Next, announced on Tuesday morning at the Farnborough Airshow.

 


Boeing Next’s aim is to turn what sounds like science fiction now into every day in tomorrow’s world. “Future travelers will expect an on-demand world,” said Steve Nordlund, the first head of Boeing Next.

 


Next is focused on driving innovation within the company toward a more integrated, more seamless travel ecosystem, whereas HorizonX, which Nordlund still also oversees,&nbsp;invests in outside companies. Two key areas for innovation are more efficient air traffic management and autonomous vehicles. Its other projects include a hypersonic passenger airplane concept and electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles capable of moving cargo and people on demand.

 


“These vehicles are going to start flying around in the next few years,” Boeing chief technology officer Greg Hyslop said.

 


Turning Boeing’s vision into reality means overcoming technological and psychological challenges. A fatal car crash in March involving a self-driving car being developed by Uber highlighted many people’s unease at the thought of turning the wheel over to an artificial intelligence program. At the same time, following the crash Uber backed off but did not stop its self-driving development work.

 


“That’s why the first words out of our mouth are safety and reliability,” Hyslop said. While he hopes to begin trial programs in the next two to five years, huge technology problems remain to be solved. "We don’t think its unsolvable, but there is hard work to be done around that.”

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Boeing's Glimpse into the Future: Hypersonics and eVTOLs

Boeing Next and HorizonX programs aim to drive innovations that will mean less driving for humans, and more efficeint transit.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charlotte Bailey

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

ATR 72 aircraft performs pre-modification flight in Toulouse

Kepplair Starts Converting ATR 72 Into Water Bombers

Curt Epstein

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Only the piston aircraft segment posted a decline

GAMA: Bizjets, T-props, and Rotorcraft Deliveries Up

Hanneke Weitering

Two captains held the prototype 33 feet above the water for 30 seconds

Regent Flies Electric Seaglider with Crew for First Time

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

Icing approval would open year-round service to northern communities

Horizon Begins Icing Tests for Cavorite X7 eVTOL

Kerry Lynch

Deal to close this year

Bombardier To Grow Manufacturing Capacity with MHICA Buy

David Donald

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

The two NATO allies will purchase seven of the tanker/transport aircraft

Spain and Poland Agree to Buy A330MRTT Tanker Transports

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

GE Aerospace has tested the GE9X, Leap 1A, Leap 1B, and more with the 747.

GE Aerospace Flies Boeing 747 To Test New Engine Tech

Charles Alcock

News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

More In Aircraft