A FUTURISTIC superplane that could fly people from London to New York City in just 90 minutes has moved one step closer to reality.
Engineers are inching closer towards the production of Yunxing aircraft that could potentially reach the speed of Mach 4 (3,00mph) – twice as fast as the British Concorde.
The Yunxing prototype model has completed its first round of tests[/caption]
The futuristic plane aims to kickstart supersonic passenger travel again[/caption]
Beijing-based company Space Transportation said that it successfully completed the first test flight for the prototype model just days ago.
Experts carried out several important systems and performance tests to reach their goal, including aerodynamics, thermal protection, and control systems.
The company said that Yunxing’s advanced aerospace design is tailored for high-speed and efficient transcontinental travel.
Designed for vertical take-off and landing, the jet could to reach altitudes exceeding 65,600 feet.
And the Chinese company aims to put full-size supersonic aircraft in the sky by 2027.
If successful, the ambitious aircraft could pave the way for a new era of commercial supersonic travel almost two decades after the popular British Concorde was retired from British Airways‘ fleet.
The next test to assess its engine’s full capacity would take place in November, a spokesperson for the company said.
Explaining the technology, Space Transportation emphasised the aircraft’s high lift-to-drag ratio, which would allow it to maintain high-efficiency performance as it flies through high-altitude zones.
This would not only make flights faster but also more economical and comfortable.
Space Transportation says its fleet of supersonic jets like the Yunxing can be used in global commercial flights and futuristic space tourism.
An animation on the company’s website shows the Yunxing being sent into the sky by a rocket booster, which then separates from the aircraft.
The clip shows the aircraft gliding through it to reduce its speed from supersonic levels to subsonic levels as it approaches its destinations.
A liquid rocket engine then ignites for a secondary deceleration to achieve a perfect vertical landing.
Shen Haibin, the company’s vice president, said: “The company aims to reduce the cost of space tourism tickets from Virgin Galactic’s $450,000 to just $63,180.”
‘SON OF CONCORDE’
Boom Technology’s supersonic aircraft, aptly dubbed “the son of Concorde“, has completed its third test flight just weeks after its last big takeoff.
The test model, XB-1, is being used before Boom unveils the actual aircraft set to be used in the future known as the Overture.
It’s hoped the aircraft will eventually cut the trip across the Atlantic in half.
Engineers are inching closer to performing a supersonic test flight before the end of the year, paving the way for mainstream supersonic travel more than two decades after Concorde retired.
The flight reached a new maximum altitude of 15,000 feet and speeds of 232 knots – the equivalent of 267mph – with a total flight time of 32 minutes.
Meanwhile, a British aviation company has opened talks with the government – leading to fresh hope for a new supersonic passenger plane.
Reaction Engines is in talks with Whitehall to secure a £20m lifeline amid mounting losses and slow revenue growth.
The company hopes its hybrid jet-rocket engine could one day enable a new era of hypersonic flight.
It would mean any destination around the world is never more than a few hours away.
Reaction hopes its engines will one day be able to fly at Mach 5 in the atmosphere – or even Mach 25 if they are used in space.
A short history of the Concorde
THE CONCORDE was the first supersonic passenger-carrying luxury airplane.
It became supersonic in 1969, flying passengers from New York to London in less than three hours.
It was the only aircraft in the British Airways fleet that required a flight engineer.
Concorde needed unsustainable amounts of fuel and created very loud sonic booms.
Then, in July 2000, a horror accident saw 113 people killed when an Air France Concorde ran over a small piece of metal while taking off from Charles de Gaulle Airport.
It caused the tyre to explode and the engine to ignite.
A year after the horrific crash, 9/11 majorly affected passenger numbers.
Ultimately a combination of these events led to its downfall.
By 2003, Air France and British Airways announced they would be retiring their fleet of Concorde planes.
