The first independently developed and privately funded supersonic jet has been unveiled in the US.
Boom Technology’s XB-1 Supersonic Demonstrator has been designed to cruise at Mach 2.2 and is a one third subscale prototype of a supersonic passenger airliner proposed by the Denver-based company.
“60 years after the dawn of the jet age, we’re still flying at 1960s speeds,” said Blake Scholl, chief executive officer and founder of Boom. “Concorde’s designers didn’t have the technology for affordable supersonic travel, but now we do. Today, we’re proud to unveil our first aircraft as we look forward to first flight late next year.”
The first flight of the XB-1 – dubbed Baby Boom – is planned for late 2017. According to Boom Technology, subsonic flight test will be conducted east of Denver whilst supersonic test flights will be conducted near Edwards Air Force Base in Southern California, in partnership with Virgin Galactic’s The Spaceship Company.
“I have long been passionate about aerospace innovation and the development of high-speed commercial flights,” said Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Group. “As an innovator in the space, Virgin Galactic’s decision to work with Boom was an easy one. We’re excited to have an option on Boom’s first 10 airframes. Through Virgin Galactic’s manufacturing arm, The Spaceship Company, we will provide engineering and manufacturing services, along with flight test support and operations as part of our shared ambitions.”
The XB-1 Supersonic Demonstrator will fly with three General Electric J85-21 (non-afterburning; proprietary variable-geometry intake and exhaust) engines, plus avionics from Honeywell, carbon fibre parts supplied by Tencate, and composite structures fabricated by Blue Force in North Carolina. Final assembly and vehicle integration are taking place in Boom’s facility at Centennial Airport in Colorado.
Commenting on Boom’s announcement, Kevan Kane, managing director of Technoset and member of Coventry and Warwickshire Aerospace Forum, said: “It was inevitable that Supersonic flight would be re-visited. They have wanted to do this for over 30 years or since the end of Concorde.
“I am guessing that the [potential] issues would be noise pollution but if we understand it correctly, its primarily across water so not such an issue and I am sure that a combination of current design methods and engine technology, they will over-come this problem.
“With recent global events, I am sure that there would massive demand for high speed air travel especially for business.”
Design Specifications: XB-1 Supersonic Demonstrator
- Crew: Two (pilot + optional flight test engineer or passenger)
- Length: 68′, Wingspan: 17′
- Maximum Take-off Weight: 13,500lb
- Powerplant: 3X General Electric J85-21, non-afterburning; proprietary variable-geometry intake and exhaust engines
- Aerodynamics: Chine, refined delta wing with swept trailing edge
- Cruise: Mach 2.2 (1,451mph, 2,335km/h)
- Nose Temperature: 307°F (345°F on ISA+20 day)
- Range: > 1,000nmi
Design Specifications: Boom passenger airliner
- Crew: Two
- Length: 170′, Wingspan: 60′
- Passengers: 45 standard (up to 55 in high density)
- Flight attendants: Up to 4
- Powerplane: 3X non-afterburning medium bypass turbofan; proprietary variable geometry intake and exhaust
- Aerodynamics: Chine, refined delta wing with swept trailing edge
- Long Range Cruise: Mach 2.2 (1,451mph, 2,335km/h)
- Nose Temperature: 307°F (345°F on ISA+20 day)
- Maximum Design Route: 9,000nm (4,500nm unrefuelled)
Well its about time we had something like this as this is the future then looking forward to seeing this in uk airport then Cardiff international Wales airport then.
Well if I was building a new SST, I would go larger , slower & longer legged. A Mach 1.2 airliner with clever shaping would have no sonic boom reaching ground level. It could use at least 3 to 1 bypass engines, keeping it quiet & economical, though it might need Gulfstream’s inlet spike.
It needs double the capacity of Concorde, so 200-210 passengers in 2/3 classes. It also needs at least a 6000 mile range if it is to do the Europe-Asia routes.
It might even have the 1960’s turned down wingtips, see XB-70 Valkyrie &TSR-2, to ride the supersonic wave.
Being developed in the US though, I suspect they’ll be no talk of banning it from US airports; unlike Concorde . . .
I think there will be a select few that will be able to afford to fly at 2xmach . The plane I believe is the correct size for the market , who I guess will be politicians , soccer players, singers ,actors, bankers and lawyers. All parasites , certainly there may be one possibly two engineers and a handfull of other useful technologists in the world that will be able to afford to travel on a 2xmach plane (if they are sponsored ). Personally for transatlantic travel I’d like to return to the good old days of the queen Mary , the Elizabeths Normandy etc . Much more civilized !