# Could Aerodynamics In Aircraft Be Boosted With A Bird-Like Design?

Published 2018-03-06 · Updated 2026-03-19 · Energy on MarketScale
Canonical: https://www.marketscale.com/industries/energy/aerodynamics-aircraft-boosted-bird-like-design

> In the United States alone, air carriers use 20 billion gallons of jet fuel and create 3% of our total greenhouse gas emissions. Engineers at USC are creating new plane designs and alternative energy sources for engines that could cut back on fuel usage. “For a long time, we’ve been wondering about the basics of…

In the United States alone, air carriers use 20 billion gallons of jet fuel and create 3% of our total greenhouse gas emissions. Engineers at USC are creating new plane designs and alternative energy sources for engines that could cut back on fuel usage.

“*For a long time, we’ve been wondering about the basics of aircraft design*,” Spedding said. “*Is it at an optimum? How do we know an optimum even exists? And if it’s not at an optimum, why not? And if it is, has that ever been demonstrated?*”[[1]](#_ftn1)

The engineers weighed the pros and cons of 3 designs.

First, the current aircraft design, deemed not the most optimal due to the drag the tail causes. Secondly, a blended wing design which has structural flaws. Finally, a bird-like design, which scientists think might be the future of aircraft design, possibly increasing aerodynamic efficiency by as much as 10 percent.

“*We have a dedicated fuselage with a shape designed for low-drag-per-unit volume, and it’s not compromised by the wing at all, which in turn is not compromised by trying to fit in with the body*,” Spedding said.

“*If an optimum exists, then we assert that this is the most likely candidate*.”

To read the full article, click [here](http://news.usc.edu/136946/usc-viterbi-engineers-consider-redesigned-fuel-efficient-airplanes/).

[[1]](#_ftnref1)http://news.usc.edu/136946/usc-viterbi-engineers-consider-redesigned-fuel-efficient-airplanes/

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