NASA Tests Innovative Wing Technology to Boost Fuel Efficiency in Commercial Aviation
Edwards, California — January 21, 2026
NASA researchers have successfully completed a pivotal high-speed taxi test of a novel wing design concept that promises to enhance the efficiency of future commercial aircraft by optimizing airflow over wing surfaces. This technology, known as Cross Flow Attenuated Natural Laminar Flow (CATNLF), aims to increase the extent of laminar flow—a smooth, uninterrupted air movement—over wings, thereby reducing aerodynamic drag and improving fuel economy.
The milestone test occurred on January 12, 2026, at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. NASA’s F-15B research aircraft served as the testbed, carrying a 3-foot-tall scale model of the CATNLF design mounted beneath its fuselage. Although the model resembles a fin positioned vertically, it is a scaled representation of an aircraft wing, engineered to allow comprehensive flight testing using existing aircraft infrastructure.
By focusing on increasing laminar airflow and minimizing turbulent flow, the CATNLF design works to reduce the boundary layer friction that typically contributes to increased drag on conventional aircraft wings. Turbulent airflow occurs when air near the wing surface changes direction abruptly, creating resistance that forces engines to consume more fuel. CATNLF’s ability to maintain smooth airflow can significantly lower this resistance.
Early computational analyses performed by NASA between 2014 and 2017 suggest that implementing CATNLF on large, long-range commercial airplanes, such as models similar to the Boeing 777, could yield an estimated annual fuel savings of up to 10 percent. While actual savings are variable depending on operational conditions, the technology could translate into millions of dollars saved per aircraft each year alongside a notable reduction in carbon emissions.
“Even small improvements in efficiency can add up to significant reductions in fuel burn and emissions for commercial airlines,” said Mike Frederick, principal investigator for CATNLF at NASA Armstrong. “This technology represents a meaningful step toward making aviation more sustainable and cost-effective.”
The CATNLF initiative is part of NASA’s broader Flight Demonstrations and Capabilities project within the Integrated Aviation Systems Program, managed by the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate. The concept originated from NASA’s Advanced Air Transport Technology project and was initially shaped by researchers at NASA Armstrong in 2019. Further refinements enhancing its aerodynamic efficiency were developed at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia.
“Laminar flow technology has been studied and applied to aircraft for decades but has historically been limited in scope,” noted Michelle Banchy, Langley principal investigator for CATNLF. “Our advancements with this design could pave the way for broader application and substantial fuel savings in commercial aviation.”
Efforts like the CATNLF testing underscore NASA’s ongoing commitment to pioneering green aviation technologies aimed at reducing the environmental footprint of air travel while advancing aeronautical innovation for the industry.
For further information, visuals, and updates on NASA’s aeronautics research, visit NASA’s official website.
