JAL Undergoes 'Sharkskin' Riblet Flight Trials
Japan Airlines is testing the durability of a "sharkskin" exterior coating on two Boeing 737-800s that reduces friction and thus increases fuel efficiency
JAL Riblet tech flight test campaign
Japan Airlines is undergoing a flight-test campaign using proprietary riblet processing technology applied to an airplane’s surface as it looks to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. (Photo: Masakatsu Ukon via Wikimedia)

In a bid to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, flag carrier Japan Airlines (JAL) is undergoing flight trials using two Boeing 737-800s to test the durability of “sharkskin” riblet technology to boost fuel efficiency by reducing friction drag on the airplane's skin. Applied in a specific manner, the exterior riblet coating imitates the skin of sharks and diminishes the effects of skin friction by moving vortices away from the aircraft’s surface. According to JAL, the application of sharkskin riblets can improve fuel savings by 2 percent.

The test campaign is being carried out under a joint research agreement involving JAL, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), industrial paint company O-Well, and Nikon Corp. Boeing is also working in cooperation with JAL’s engineering arm to optimize the coating application process.