Interesting approach to aircraft design, and I couldn't help extending the thought to stripping off the wings and tail and you have a ready made space craft, just get that thing into orbit and you will have all the space you need for an extended trip, a few modifications to the engines and it could make sub orbital. I wonder is there any cross fertilisation between the aircraft industry and the aerospace industry. the wings could even become solar panels


(http://edition.cnn.com/2014/01/20/health/pollution-china-pnas/index.html?hpt=hp_t1)'Sky Whale' design brings future of flying closer - CNN.com (http://edition.cnn.com/2014/01/21/travel/sky-whale-future-of-flying/index.html?hpt=hp_c5)

I wonder how aerodynamic it is?

Self-repairing wings? I can't wait to see those Airbus invisible planes.