jetting times just within one hour across the Atlantic from London to New York? Or within three hours from Paris to San Francisco instead of the previous eleven hours and 20 minutes?
This dream could become a reality when it comes to the researchers of the Airbus Group. You have now received the US patent for an “ultra-fast aircraft” whose cruising speed is Mach 4.5, ie 4.5 times the sound. It could be equipped with three drive systems that work with hydrogen.
To lift the now patented supersonic jet would two attached below the wing turbojets together with an on use rear installed rocket engine.
How could stand out like a space shuttle the potential Concorde successor vertically. Before reaching the speed of sound then the two turbo engines would be shut down, so that the jet would only put the rocket engine to an altitude of 100,000 feet (30,500 meters).
rocket propulsion with ramjet engines
Once this is achieved, the rocket engine would then two ramjet engines – known among professionals ramjet – detached, which would then also noticeably quieter than the now decommissioned Concorde supersonic aircraft of Air France and British Airways. However, only 20 passengers.
transported the now patented supersonic jet is somewhat reminiscent of concept aircraft Zero Emission Hyper Sonic Transport (Zero Emission High Supersonic Transport), which the Airbus Group 2011 the air show of Le Bourget has presented at Paris. This organic supersonic aircraft should also have three drive systems. Zero Emission Hyper Sonic Transport supposedly should carry 50 to 100 passengers.
saw the concept that the launch conventional biofuel-fired engines are used. After two so-called booster rockets were to be used, operated with hydrogen and oxygen, and then also ramjets.
Only one of hundreds of patents
Whether these two supersonic jets are however ever be used remains questionable. The now approved in the US Patent was one of hundreds that the Airbus Group and its divisions would sign up each year to protect the intellectual property, said a spokesman for the European aerospace and defense group.
“These patents are often based on research and development concepts and ideas, which are often still in a very early stage.” However, by no means will any concept actually implemented in a technology or a product.
The research area for supersonic flying is interesting, says the spokesperson. “The overall theme is under the present conditions but economically unattractive.” A supersonic aircraft is the cost both in terms of procurement and the maintenance is very high.
This was also at the Concorde so that was developed by two precursors of the aircraft manufacturer Airbus in the early 60s: Aérospatiale of France and British Aerospace made UK.
Concorde era was created in 2003 to end
The legendary supersonic aircraft, which his in March 1969 First flight took off, came on a trip maximum speed of Mach 2.03, ie twice the sound. A flight from London to New York took so only three and a half hours.
But the dream of super-fast fly came to an end 15 years ago when a Concorde of Air France crashed in Paris shortly after takeoff and all 109 people on board were killed, including many German.
Air France and British Airways decided then to put the supersonic aircraft out of service in 2003. They were the only two operators of the Concorde.
The dream of supersonic jet is nevertheless weitergeträumt. “We have seen in the past decade, a number of research projects in the field of supersonic aircraft,” says Ben Vogel, analyst and author with “IHS Jane’s Airport Review”, which deals not only with airports, but also by air.
“In addition to NASA, which developed its own supersonic aircraft, has the Australian military in 2010 some, though not made successful tests. Also, a British company, Reaction Engines, working to bring a supersonic aircraft in the market. “
From Brussels to Sydney in just under five hours
The company, based in Abingdon in southwest England was in 2008 designs for A2, a supersonic aircraft with liquid hydrogen propulsion presented. The project is part of Lapcat-funding of the European Union and is located in the exploration stage.
A2 is the distance between Brussels and Sydney in 4.6 hours to travel and this can carry 300 passengers. The aircraft will have a range of 20,000 kilometers. Reaction Engines Ltd estimates that it will take about 25 years until the product reaches the market.
Airbus and its US rival Boeing will also continue to Topic research. About a year ago the company announced Aerion from the USA to a technical cooperation with the Airbus Group for the supersonic technique. Aerion wants to build supersonic business jets that will reach top speeds of up to 1.6 times the speed of sound.
Airbus had enough money
Already in 2019 is a first prototype with space for 19 passengers stand. The aim is the model AS2 be able to deliver with all approvals by 2021. However, the unit price of the jets is expected to be in excess of $ 100 million.
Analyst Ben Vogel is therefore convinced that at the current developments on the subject of supersonic aircraft mainly an object in the foreground: “At present, it is all about, to develop the technology and to secure the patents, in order to show that the concept works and that it is safe.”
However, it is still too early for the issue of commercial marketability, he says. Airbus, argues the expert, whether as a result of the existing financial resources fully capable to lead the project to success. Prerequisite is however that Airbus supersonic aircraft calling as one of the future divisions.
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