NASA unveils plans for supersonic commercial jet
US space agency NASA has designed a supersonic aircraft that would fly almost as fast as Concorde but without the deafening ‘sonic boom’.
The ‘QueSST’ aircraft would be capable of reaching Mach 1.4 speeds of about 1,100 mph, nearly twice as fast as current commercial aircraft.
The sonic boom would be reduced to ‘more like a soft thump,’ said NASA administrator Charlie Bolden.
"NASA is working hard to make flight greener, safer and quieter, all while developing aircraft that travel faster, and building an aviation system that operates more efficiently," Bolden said.
A prototype ready for test flights and built by the private sector, could be completed by 2019 if the agency can secure the funding from Congress.
NASA said the ultimate goal was to produce a commercially viable jet for up to 100 passengers for the ‘flying public to enjoy supersonic flight.’
"Just imagine you can go anywhere in the world in six hours," said Jaiwon Shin, NASA’s head of aeronautics.
Concorde travelled at 1,354 mph, but its sonic boom meant that it was banned from flying over certain countries and it was restricted to transatlantic flights.
It was retired in 2003 due to escalating maintenance costs.
European aircraft maker Airbus is working on a Concorde replacement, which will fly at 1,200 mph, with test flights due to start in 2021 and commercial flights in 2023.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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