Sustainable Skies: How Simulation Drives Thin-Wing Technology Studies on the X-66 Concept

Jack Castro
Technical Fellow
The Boeing Company

In light of recent developments in NASA's Sustainable Flight Demonstrator (SFD) project, the X-66 program is evolving to focus on promising thin-wing technology. This innovation aims to demonstrate broad applications for multiple aircraft configurations, ultimately guiding the industry toward more sustainable aviation solutions. This presentation looked into the implications of transonic truss-braced wing concepts, highlighting engineering challenges relative to conventional designs.It showcased the essential role of advanced engineering analysis and simulation technology in addressing these challenges, demonstrating how this technology is crucial in driving this concept to informed solutions for the future of aviation.

Jack Castro is a Technical Fellow responsible for Boeing’s enterprise structural FEA capability and strategy in the context of Boeing’s digital model-based processes. In this capacity, Jack is working with Boeing internal teams and software suppliers to develop and deploy modernized processes, especially in the Loads value stream. Jack is also the enterprise FEA Design Practice Leader, Enterprise Aeroelastic Loads Focal and co-author/editor of Boeing’s Book 5-- Finite Element Analysis of Aerospace Structures. In his day-to-day activities, Jack provides aircraft program consulting on finite element analysis methods, analysis planning, model development, verification and validation for the stress and loads organizations. In his leadership facing role, Jack works across the ecosystem of FEA suppliers to help define vendor strategy associated with Boeing strategic needs.

Prior to Boeing, Jack worked at MSC Software for 25 years in positions ranging from Nastran QA Engineer to Boeing Global Technical Program Manager. During the majority of this time, he worked in customer facing roles providing on-site consulting and leadership in the usage, collaborative development and deployment of MSC Nastran based solutions in the domains of stress analysis, dynamics, internal/external/aeroelastic loads and structural optimization.

Jack is a graduate of University of California, Los Angeles with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering and Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering.