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Airbus unveils new plane design that looks like bird of prey

‘Who can’t help but be inspired by such a creation?’

Cathy Adams
Wednesday 24 July 2019 11:47 BST
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Airbus unveils new 'bird of prey' concept

A new plane design that looks like a bird with feathered wings has been unveiled by Airbus.

The theoretical design, which is a hybrid-electric, turbo-propeller aircraft, is inspired by the “mechanics” of a bird of prey, according to the planemaker.

The “Bird of Prey” plane has a blended wing-to-fuselage joint that mirrors the aerodynamic arch of an eagle or falcon.

This concept, although based on realistic design, will never actually be built, said Airbus. It’s instead designed to inspire the next generation of aeronautical engineers.

It was revealed at this month’s Royal International Air Tattoo air show in the UK as the Toulouse-based planemaker celebrates its 50th anniversary.

Of its biomimicry design, Airbus said: “Nature has some of the best lessons we can learn about design.”

“Our ‘Bird of Prey’ is designed to be an inspiration to young people and create a ‘wow’ factor that will help them consider an exciting career in the crucially-important aerospace sector,” said Martin Aston, a senior manager at Airbus.

“One of the priorities for the entire industry is how to make aviation more sustainable – making flying cleaner, greener and quieter than ever before. We know from our work on the A350 XWB passenger jet that through biomimicry, nature has some of the best lessons we can learn about design.

“Who can’t help but be inspired by such a creation?”

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