All Sonic, No Boom

Popular Science ^ | March 2007 | Eric Hagerman

[SunkenCiv]

If you're ever lucky enough to fly a Quiet Supersonic Transport between New York and Los Angeles, you'll have just enough time to get through a movie -- a short one. Instead of the usual six hours, it will be a 1,100mph, two-hour hop. The QSST, as the proposed luxury private jet is known, could be the first civilian supersonic plane approved for overland routes, thanks to aerodynamics designed to muzzle its sonic boom. Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works has been developing the project for six years under a $25-million contract from Supersonic Aerospace International (SAI), founded by Michael Paulson, son of Gulfstream founder Allen Paulson. The 12-passenger QSST would fly at between 47,000 and 57,000 feet with a range of 4,600 miles (Chicago to Rome, for example), and it doesn't need an extended runway. Configured with 12 club chairs, a spacious bathroom and a sweet A/V system, the QSST is aimed at diplomats or executives with plenty of money -- but little time -- to spare.

[SunkenCiv]

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Form will definitely follow function with the QSST, creating a striking shape for the ultra-fast cruiser. -- Courtesy SAI

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[SunkenCiv]

Ping!

[FairOpinion]

Now that's my kind of plane! :)

[RedCell]

Maybe Nancy will want one of these.

[Cicero]

Beautiful looking plane. Wouldn't it be nice to be rich and fly something like that?

Just don't let Nancy Pelosi get her hands on one.

[ChildOfThe60s]

Too small, where will she put her hairdresser?

[Boiler Plate]

WOW

[A. Pole]

Looks like Concord

[NormsRevenge]

Fly WHUUUUSSSHHH Airlines!
Nice looking plane.

[garjog]

She will order two in case one is held up for maintenance.

[Fred Hayek]

I think the Sukhoi Design Bureau had a similar idea about 9 years ago. Was looking for American investors. Will do a search.

[NicknamedBob]

Quiet Supersonic Transport (QSST)

Purpose: High-speed private flights over land and sea

• Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin and Supersonic Aerospace International
  
• Range: 4,600 miles
  
• Speed: Mach 1.6 to 1.8 (approx. 1,056 mph to 1,188 mph)
  
• Dimensions: 132.1 ft. length, 63 ft. wingspan
  
• Capacity: 12 passengers, 3 crew
  
• Cost (projected): $2.5 billion development cost; $80 million per aircraft
  
• First flight (projected): 2011

Better start saving your money now, Stephen.

[NormsRevenge]

QSST

[Lokibob]

OK, gonna be on the market by 2014. There is no use in hoping for that, cause by then we will all be dead via global warming. Oh the inhumanity of it all. /sarcoff

[RedCell]

Let's not forget her botoxocologist.

[Seadog Bytes]

Uh... A 'little' outa MY price range, I am afraid.

[RunningWolf]

Whoa!

Put the new version of the J-58 on it

[PAR35]

Looks like Concord

Except for the engines, wings, tail, fuselage and canards.

[68skylark]

These are the only guys who could design and fly such a plane.

[Cicero]

As I suspected, it's out of my price range.