As the bypass ratios of future commercial turbofans increase to improve propulsive efficiency and reduce fuel consumption, the weight and drag of the larger nacelles needed to enclose bigger fans risk offsetting the performance gains. The answer lies in slimming down the nacelles, making them as short and compact as possible to minimize the drag and weight penalties. Under an FAA-funded research program, UTC Aerospace Systems' Aerostruc-tures unit plans to demonstrate key elements of its future nacelle architecture, including an advanced thrust reverser.
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