Star Wars-inspired AI plane could fly from London to New York in 3 hours

By Dean Murray via SWNS

A Star Wars-inspired, AI-controlled plane could fly from London to New York in three hours.

The Sky OV uses Dyson-like bladeless fans to travel at speeds of up to Mach 1.5, or 1,141 mph.

Spanish designer Oscar Viñals believes his concept would be able to carry 200 passengers in luxury at supersonic speeds.

The Sky OV has a blended wing body fuselage, with wings able to fold to take up less space when at the airport.

Powered by hydrogen fuel and electric power, the aircraft would be capable of covering long distances with very low hydrogen fuel consumption and zero emissions.

Oscar says the ailerons on the top of the airplane could be controlled by an AI system to help regulate the airflow over the craft on take-off and landing.

The designer has also addressed issues with traditional aircraft props he describes as "inefficient, noisy and dangerous".

He explains: "An innovative new bladeless propulsion system offers an alternative for 21st century aviation. Dyson has been making bladeless fans for a few years now that accelerate a consistent stream of air without exposed blades.

"The Sky OV is a concept plane based on the future revolution/evolution of a new kind of airplanes engines with bladeless turbojet engines, like the Dyson concept.

"A super quiet system at subsonic and supersonic speed or engines based on pulse detonation more efficient than current turbojet engines with skills similar to a ramjet engine."

Calling his design "out of a Star Wars film", Oscar adds: "The next generation of commercial airplanes could be radically "disruptive" than current airplanes. Fuselages, engines, power sources and other aviation systems, that today look like sci-fi would be real."

SKY OV SPECIFICATIONS:

Crew: 2 (cockpit)
Capacity: Passengers: 200 typical
Maximum payload: 70 t (154,323 lb)
Length: 45.5 m (149.2 ft )
Wingspan: 66.8 m (219 ft )
Height: 8.4 m (27.5 ft)
Wing area: 1106 m2
Empty weight: 243,000 kg (535,723 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 515,000 kg (1,135,381 lb)
Cruise speed: 1,470 km/h (913 mph) Mach 1.2
Max speed: 1,837 km/h (1,141 mph) Mach 1.5
Range: 16,600 km (10,314 mi)
Service ceiling: 18,000 m (59,055 ft)
Landing speed: 118.8 km (220 km/h; 136.7 mph)
Takeoff: 2,300 m (7,546 ft)