Long after the Concorde was retired, commercial companies are now developing new models of supersonic passenger aircraft.
A hypersonic aircraft can fly faster than the speed of sound (Mach 1, or 775 mph). As of 2024, only two commercial supersonic aircraft are in service, and both have been retired (Concorde and Tupolev Tu-144). Safety concerns and challenges surrounding the sonic boom make it extremely difficult to build a commercially viable supersonic passenger aircraft. However, more and more supersonic aircraft are in development, led by Boom, according to Simple Flying .
1. Boeing 2707
The American company Boeing had its own supersonic passenger aircraft project in the 1960s, called the Boeing 2707. The Boeing 2707 was America's answer to the European Concorde, aiming to be much larger and faster than the Concorde.
The Boeing 2707 was designed to carry 250–300 passengers. According to Boeing, the aircraft would have a cruising speed of 2,000 mph (3,334 km/h) at an altitude of more than 60,000 feet (18,288 m). The project suffered from repeated cost overruns and a lack of a clear market (although 26 airlines ordered 122 aircraft). The project was eventually canceled in 1971 before any prototypes were completed.
2. Concorde
Concorde is perhaps the most famous supersonic passenger jet. A joint project between the French company Sud Aviation and the British company British Aircraft Corporation, Concorde became a source of pride for the aviation engineering of the two countries. The idea for Concorde began in 1954. The first flight of the model took place in 1969 in France. The aircraft could carry up to 100 passengers at a speed of 2,519 km/h.
Concorde could not operate on land due to the loud sonic boom. Photo: Simple Flying
At the time, the manufacturer predicted that the market would need around 350 of the aircraft, but in the end, the only customers were British Airways and Air France, with just 20 aircraft built. The reason was the lack of routes (only for over-ocean flights) because sonic booms were banned over land. However, according to the National Air and Space Museum, Concorde flew 17,824 hours in 25 years, carrying several thousand passengers across the Atlantic.
3. Tupolev Tu-144
The Soviet Union rushed to build its own commercial supersonic airliner to compete with the West, the 150-passenger Tupolev Tu-144. The Tu-144 took off on its first flight a few months before the Anglo-French Concorde. However, the Tu-144 was even less of a commercial success than the Concorde. Only 16 were built and completed 102 commercial flights, including 55 passenger flights at 2,470 km/h.
The Tu-144 got off to a bad start when the first Tu-144S crashed at the Paris Air Show in 1973. It began commercial passenger flights in 1977, but another crash in 1978 put an end to the Tu-144. The model stopped carrying passengers and was converted to cargo until it was retired in 1983. It was used as a training aircraft for the Soviet space program and made its last flight in 1999.
4. Boom Overture
The era of supersonic flight could return with the development of the Boom Overture. According to Boom, the aircraft is slower and smaller than previous supersonic passenger jets, with a cruising speed of 1,300 mph and the capacity to carry 64 to 80 passengers, depending on configuration. The company says it has more than 600 profitable routes. United Airlines has also announced that it will buy 15 Boom Overture passenger jets, with an option to order 35 more.
The Boom Overture supersonic aircraft successfully test flew in early March. Photo: Boom
2024 will be the year the Boom Overture’s final assembly line is completed. The vehicle will begin carrying passengers in 2029 and run on 100% sustainable aviation fuel.
5. Spike Diplomat Supersonic Business Jet
The Spike Diplomat Supersonic Business Jet is another supersonic passenger jet in development. It differs from the above aircraft in that it is a business jet. The Spike is designed for long-haul flights for private customers willing to pay a premium to reduce their flight time by more than 50%.
The luxurious interior design of the Spike supersonic aircraft. Photo: Spike Aerospace
If built, the plane would fly at 1,200 mph, 500 mph faster than any commercial jetliner, and carry 12 to 18 passengers. The vehicle would have no windows in the passenger compartment. Instead, it would have cameras that would provide an outside view. The interior would be luxurious, with plenty of room for a small number of passengers.
An Khang (According to Simple Flying )
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