NASA plans to develop large hybrid electric aircraft

[KamenRiderBlade]

http://revolution-green.com/nasa-plans- ... -aircraft/

If it works as stated, it could help the civil aviation industry save a lot of fuel.

[madrat]

I was thinking about how aggressive one could shrink wings if every square inch is quantified by electrical drive technology. Maybe even have a simplified folding wing, akin to the SDB mechanism, that retracts once at optimal velocity to reduce drag. Extend for takeoff and landings, retract for high speed cruise.

And there is no reason electrical drives couldn't reach jet turbine speeds with proper engineering.

[KamenRiderBlade]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOkzOpdSou8

I personally like Airbu's E-Thrust concept