Using a seamless, morphing trailing edge (replacing heavy, drag-inducing flaps), the VACBI wing continuously adjusts its curvature. During takeoff, the camber deepens for maximum lift. During high-speed cruise, it flattens to reduce shockwave drag. The result is a wing that flies perfectly at every stage of flight—not just the middle one.
The engine effectively re-energizes the wake, reducing drag by up to 10% and lowering jet velocity—meaning quieter takeoffs and landings. Why VACBI Isn’t Just Another Lab Experiment Airbus has already flown BLI technology on its E-Break demonstrator and studied variable camber on the BLADE (Breakthrough Laminar Aircraft Demonstrator) project. VACBI is the fusion of both. airbus vacbi
Airbus VACBI integrates the aft-mounted engines (or an electrically driven fan) directly into the upper rear fuselage. The engine inlet is shaped to ingest the slow-moving boundary layer air. While a conventional engine chokes on disturbed air, VACBI’s fan is designed for that uneven flow. Using a seamless, morphing trailing edge (replacing heavy,
3-5% reduction in cruise drag with no added weight from conventional slats. 2. Boundary Layer Ingestion (BLI): Sucking Away the Problem The “dirty secret” of air transport is the slow, turbulent layer of air (the boundary layer) that clings to the aft fuselage. Normally, this creates parasitic drag. VACBI turns that weakness into a thrust source. The result is a wing that flies perfectly