SBWB Sillage – Concept Study

Reimagining the Future of Long-Range Flight

Imagined by: Félix Godard

Sculpted by: Frédéric Gasson

Location: Paris, France

Project Type: Next Generation Long Courrier Aircraft Study

Introduction

The SBWB Sillage is a speculative design study exploring the next generation of long-range air travel. Conceived by designer Félix Godard and modeler Frédéric Gasson, the project blends industrial design thinking with aerospace research to question how sustainable aviation could evolve in the coming decades.

Sillage takes its name from the French word meaning “wake” or “trail,” the trace left behind by movement. In aviation, it represents both the aerodynamic flow and the emotional impression left by design.

The Concept

The study proposes a new aircraft architecture called SBWB, or Semi-Blended Wing Body. It bridges the gap between conventional Tube-and-Wing layouts and full Blended Wing Body designs. The goal was to balance aerodynamic efficiency, hydrogen adaptability, and passenger comfort.

Unlike many experimental BWBs that sacrifice cabin ergonomics, the SBWB configuration keeps visibility and accessibility while enabling better lift and hydrogen storage.

The Sillage is designed as a long-courrier aircraft in the same market segment as the Airbus A330, yet its form challenges the traditional silhouette of airliners.

Design Development

The study documents a collaborative process between design and digital modeling, structured across seven key phases.

1. Context and Research

The project benchmarks reference studies including Aurora’s Double Bubble fuselage, Onera’s Nova concept, and CFM International’s RISE propfan engine program. These case studies shaped the direction toward a wide-body aircraft optimized for sustainable fuels and hydrogen integration.

2. Ideation and Drawings

Initial sketches explored a range of fuselage geometries before focusing on a double-bubble cross-section. Early iterations tested a 2+4+2 seating arrangement, later refined into a 3+4+3 layout in the final model.

3. Blueprint and Scale

At full scale, the Sillage measures 58 meters in length, 70 meters in wingspan, and 9 meters in height. It accommodates up to 382 passengers in a high-density layout, or 280 passengers in a three-class configuration, positioning it directly against the A330 in the long-haul category.

4. 3D Modelisation

The 3D development moved from subdivision modeling to precision Nurbs modeling, translating design intent into detailed geometry. A kinematic model of the CFM RISE-inspired propfan was also created, simulating four operational states: idle, takeoff, cruise, and braking.

5. Package Blocking

Architectural studies addressed landing gear integration, cargo layout, and hydrogen storage. The concept proposes 287 cubic meters of Liquid Hydrogen capacity, equivalent to 20,340 kg, distributed between the rear fuselage, below passenger decks, and within the swept-wing leading edges.

6. Early CFD Testing

Preliminary Computational Fluid Dynamics simulations, conducted with Airshaper, evaluated aerodynamic flow at takeoff. The results highlighted pressure interactions between the swept wings and the propfan blades, suggesting possible refinements to propfan positioning.

7. Visualization and Conclusion

The final renders illustrate a clean aerodynamic sculpture, demonstrating how design can act as a bridge between engineering and emotion. The study concludes that Sillage successfully established a design-to-model workflow capable of addressing complex transportation systems.

The Designers

Félix Godard

Industrial designer known for his work on the Porsche Mission E (Taycan) interior, Tesla projects, and the Hoplum hydrogen sedan. His practice connects automotive design thinking with advanced mobility and energy systems.

Frédéric Gasson

Digital modeler and CAD specialist with experience at Renault, Bugatti, and in visual development for Top Gun’s Darkstar aircraft. He brings expertise in surface precision and parametric modeling for high-performance design.

Conclusion

The SBWB Sillage study demonstrates how design can guide sustainable innovation in aviation. By merging creative intuition with technical rigor, Godard and Gasson present a compelling vision of future flight that balances efficiency, comfort, and emotional resonance.

Link to concept study pdf