From theory to flight: the box-wing configuration implications for the next-generation aircraft

This paper aims to present a general overview of the main applications of the box-wing configuration to transport aircraft. In particular, the purpose of the paper is to highlight, through a proper selection of literature references, the performance and functional peculiarities of the box-wing lifting architecture. Two different approaches can be applied when innovations are to be introduced in the context of the aeronautical industry. The first one is the evolutionary approach, aiming to develop incremental innovations to the state of the art, without modifying its main outline; the second one is the breakthrough approach, where functional aspects not covered by current technological development are introduced, providing radical changes to the state of the art. The literature analysis regarding the design development of box-wing aircraft discussed in this paper reveals that a breakthrough approach is necessary for an effective introduction of this innovation in the context of transport aviation. By analysing the applications of box-wing to aircraft of different categories, from mediumhaul to regional, from ultralight to urban air mobility, the specific functional and performance potential of this configuration, as well as the limits reached by basic research studies, and the bottlenecks currently preventing its further industrial development, are outlined.