New Atlas

Aircraft Audio available

Boeing joins with Aerion to bring world's first supersonic business jet to market

David Szondy February 5, 2019

Boeing has entered the race to build the next generation of supersonic commercial aircraft, announcing a new partnership with Aerion. Though few details were given, the new agreement will see Boeing provide a "significant investment", as well as technical assistance.

The AS2 supersonic business jet is scheduled to fly in 2023

Aircraft Audio available

Lockheed begins manufacture of X-59 Quiet Supersonic Technology aircraft

David Szondy November 16, 2018

Commercial supersonic flight has left the drawing board with Lockheed Martin announcing fabrication of the first part of the X-59 Quiet Supersonic Technology (QueSST) test aircraft has begun at the company's famous Skunk Works, setting the project on course for its maiden flight scheduled for 2021.

Artist's concept of Lockheed Martin’s Quiet Supersonic Technology (QueSST) X-plane

Aircraft

GE unveils new supersonic commercial jet engine

David Szondy October 21, 2018

GE Aviation has given impetus to the revival of civilian supersonic flight by revealing a new family of engines designed to fly faster than the speed of sound. Called the Affinity, the new engine will be incorporated into Aerion AS2 supersonic business jet.

GE Aviation engineers have unveiled Affinity, a new family of supersonic jet engines for civilian aircraft

Space

Lockheed Martin wins NASA supersonic X-plane contract

David Szondy April 3, 2018

NASA has awarded a US$247.5 million contract to Lockheed Martin to design, build, and test a prototype supersonic aircraft capable of generating no more noise than a car door closing while flying faster than the speed of sound over populated areas.

Artist's concept of the Low-boom Flight Demonstration X-plane

Aircraft

NASA turns to memory alloys for folding wings

David Szondy January 21, 2018

NASA sees folding wings as a key aeronautical technology for the aircraft of tomorrow and to make it practical, the space agency is looking to a cutting edge, lightweight memory alloy that allows an aircraft's wing and control surfaces to change their shape in flight without heavy hydraulic systems.

Aircraft

Lockheed Martin and Aerion set sights on world's first supersonic business jet

Rich Haridy December 17, 2017

With several major players currently working on supersonic passenger jets, Aerion and Lockheed Martin are targeting those for whom even first class commercial air travel is substandard. The pair has just announced a partnership to develop the world's first supersonic business jet.

A new agreement between Aerion and Lockheed Martin brings us one step closer to the rebirth ...

Automotive

Bloodhound Supersonic Car edges toward 500-mph test runs in South African desert

Nick Lavars December 17, 2017

Following its first public runs back in October, the team behind the Bloodhound Supersonic Car has shifted its focus to the dry lake bed in South Africa, where it hopes to shatter the world's land speed record in 2020.

The Bloodhound Supersonic Car is a decade in the making

Automotive

Bloodhound supersonic car makes first public runs in quest to hit 1000 mph

Rich Haridy October 26, 2017

The Bloodhound Supersonic Car (SSC) just completed its first public tests at Cornwall Airport Newquay. The tests are the first big outings for the car ahead of its long-term goal of shattering the world’s land speed record and crossing the 1000 mph (1600 kmh) threshold.

After nearly ten years of development the Bloodhound finally hit the tarmac

Aircraft

Spike Aerospace unmanned SX-1.2 demonstrator makes maiden flight

David Szondy October 10, 2017

Spike Aerospace took to the skies for the first time on Saturday as it tested a subsonic, subscale version of its planned S-512 supersonic passenger plane. The unmanned SX-1.2 made the first of a series of seven short flights to prove the validity of the aircraft's aerodynamics.

Aircraft

NASA's supersonic X-plane project passes key milestone

David Szondy June 26, 2017

Those still nostalgic about the Concorde can take heart because a new era of supersonic flight just came a step closer. NASA's supersonic passenger jet project has reached a major milestone, opening the way for design and construction of the Low Boom Flight Demonstration X-plane.

Illustration of NASA’s planned Low Boom Flight Demonstration aircraft as outlined during the project’s Preliminary Design ...