The QSST, A Concorde For The Next Generation
The Concorde may be gone but supersonic flight is far from forgotten. Lockheed's Skunk Works is hard at work on the QSST (Quiet Supersonic Travel). The jet is designed to travel from New York to Los Angeles in two hours. The jet travels at speeds up to Mach 1.8. The unique design curbs the sonic boom making it friendly for U.S. skies. The QSST will sell for an astounding $80 million and could be ready as soon as 2013.
[via Aero-News Network]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
DJ Aug 30th 2006 1:17PM
Even at $80 million, you have to figure that there's a worldwide market for at least 100 of them, both through outright ownership and fractional. Oprah, Paul Allen, Bill Gates, Tiger Woods, Michael Dell, every oil sheik, a handful of small country dictators, etc. Personally, I'd love to see SST commercial travel return along with it.
Hal Sep 4th 2006 2:16PM
The Concorde was terrific to fly. Sin me up for the maiden flight of Concorde 2!
Barbara Sep 4th 2006 2:32PM
Its a great idea if your in a hurry and can afford the money!! I just think the world is always in to much of a hurry to do everything!!
Charlie Sep 4th 2006 2:43PM
If it is for real and it can be flow faster for us all it would be great but Im not holding my breath it proabaly for famous people people with money if its for us all then great!
Larry Sep 4th 2006 2:44PM
Terriffic!! I can barely wait till it's available and affordable for commertial flights. It means we'll be one step closer to orbital flights.
Jay S Sep 4th 2006 2:49PM
$80 million is not that much. That's about what one of the big new Airbuses cost, isn't it? If this thing holds 1/10 the capacity of the A380, and they charge ten times as much, the economics come out even ... actually better for the QSST, as it can make more flights in a given day.
So if you can go to Europe for $129 on an Airbus, then $1290 NY-LA is reasonable for those with money to burn and no time to waste.
Of course, they still need 2 hours to get through the airport!
Sondra Sep 4th 2006 2:55PM
AT WHAT ALTITUDE WILL THIS PLANE TRAVEL IN ORDER TO MINIMIZE TURBULANCE? WHAT TYPE OF IMPACT WILL THE THE MACH 1.8 SPEED HAVE ON THE HUMAN BODY?
Herb Sep 4th 2006 3:03PM
The raw engine power to fly over Mach I has been around for decades, the problem is the sonic boom, which is prohibited over the continental US, so I would assume that it will use the same technology as the F-22 fighter jet, which is useing convergent/divergent exhaust nozzle flaps and noise supression liners that were developed for the
HSCT ( high speed civil transport) that allow the airplane to cruise at Mach speeds without running on after burner, greatly reducing fuel consumption and the noise.
Good Luck
Preston Sep 4th 2006 3:14PM
I find it interesting that the Concorde can get from New York to LA in 2 hours. Now how come the Uniteds, Northwests, American Airlines, low-priced Southwests and others can take 3 to 4 hours to get across the country? It took me 3 hours and 50 minutes to fly from Raleigh-Durham Int'l to Salt Lake City last year. Maybe the QSST has a faster engine (Mach 1.8) and quieter sound than the noisy airplanes.
Del Andreini Sep 4th 2006 3:23PM
I'd rather we put our time and energy into Low Earth Orbit transportation, small transportation vehicles like this are great if you are a Billionair, it will have no effect on improving transportation for most of us. The other problem with our current methods are in the terminal environment. Getting there faster is great but we need to improve onground movements so we can get through the terminals as fast.
Jeff Sep 4th 2006 3:35PM
Three words: Time is money.
Alex Sep 4th 2006 3:36PM
To Preston of comment number 9. What, are you stupid? The reason united and american and all the others cant make the trip in two hours is because they DONT OWN CONCORDE'S yet. Mainly because they are not available to buy. Read the article again. This will be great if it becomes available for commercial use in the future. I agree with Hal of comment 2. SIGN ME UP BABY. The original was great!
David Olin Sep 4th 2006 3:39PM
For those of us who live in the New York City area, it still will take us two hours to get to the airports (any one of the 3 major airports), 2hours to get through security, and another two hours in flight. If I wanted to go from New York to Los Angeles for a business trip, I'd rather use video telephony - easier on the body, less time-consuming and less costly.
John Sep 4th 2006 3:40PM
HP engine technology (hydrogen hyper pulse drive) divergent laminar control surfaces and a ceiling near angels 150. The trip up to altitude and descent will take fifteen minutes each. This bird floats so high there's more surface friction at takeoff. The artists concept is just for the papers. This aircraft is right out of sci-fi
larrydbarton Sep 4th 2006 3:54PM
Great news---As "Old Blue Eyes Sinatra" said--FLY ME TO THE MOON....
Richard Sep 4th 2006 4:02PM
I sure would like to know how this supersonic QSST aircraft avoids making a sonic boom when it surpassess the speed of sound? How does convergent/divergent exhaust nozzle flaps and noise supression liners eliminate or reduce the noise of a sonic boom?
Leon T. Sep 4th 2006 4:15PM
Skunk Works is the right name for the Lockheed division making this aircraft because it stinks! You know that the entire project was subsidized by taxpayers who will never be able to afford to fly it.
Thomas A. Voight Sep 4th 2006 4:17PM
I am always amazed at all the misconception comments. Tom
Randy Sep 4th 2006 4:26PM
Who knows if we'll all even be here in 2013?!
$80 million for a two hour flight. Lets see now.
Hour to the airport, 2 hours waiting time, 1 hour waiting getting luggage and another 1 hour to your destination makes it a 7 hour day so far.
My 1 1/2 hour flight to Bob Hope Airport in California
from Sacramento takes almost 7 hours total too. I could drive to LA in about 5 1/2 hours with one stop for gas and food and get there before my plane can. Also, I can bring everything in my car including hair products and any bottled waters I want without airport security taking and throwing it out. I wonder how much of my tax dollars are being tossed at this company by our Goverment? Hmmm....
George William Gockel Sep 4th 2006 4:38PM
I hope the QSST will be here before 2013. It usually take 5 hours or more to fly L.A. to New York City. The last time I flew into New York City from L.A. was October 9th,1997. And the last I flew from New York City to L.A. to was October 19th,1997.