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They don't have a modern supersonic-capable engine as of yet, which is basically a requirement for making progress in supersonic passenger transportation. They
by nullifidian 6y ago
They don't have a modern supersonic-capable engine as of yet, which is basically a requirement for making progress in supersonic passenger transportation. They have an agreement with Rolls-Royce, but if it doesn't pan out the whole venture might flop, because we basically only have GE and RR as the keepers of the institutional knowledge about cutting-edge engine tech.
Also, with the way our culture currently develops, producing tons of excess CO2 for your slightly faster than ordinary business jet or first class business trip might become a very sinful, frowned upon, bad PR thing to do. If anything I see money in making business jets more economical.
- racnid 6y agoDon't forget Pratt and Whitney, they're still a major builder of aviation (jet) engines along with Honeywell and others I'm sure to be forgetting.
- nick_kline 6y agoWhat engine will they use for testing then, what are its limitations? BC they are going > than mach 1. Edit: reread the article, I guess it's not 100% clear if they will go that fast but it's doable with existing jet engines of course, separate from new potential efficient engines.
- numpad0 6y agoIf I’m right, turbine jet engines won’t hold up against supersonic airflow anyway, so intakes has to be cleverly designed so as to feed them with subsonic air of sufficient volume at all speeds. So there might be some wiggle room between engines with sufficient TWR and durability?
- deleted 6y ago[deleted]