Latest news with #SpikeAerospace
Zawya
31-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Pros, cons of global aviation sustainability and tech advancements
THE global aviation industry is witnessing a significant transformation, driven by a renewed focus on sustainability and technological advancements. As the world grapples with the challenges of climate change, airlines, manufacturers, and regulatory bodies are working together to reduce the industry's carbon footprint and promote sustainable aviation practices. One of the most exciting developments in this area is the emergence of new aircraft technologies, such as electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) and electric short takeoff and landing (eSTOL) aircraft. These innovative designs promise to revolutionise urban air mobility, reduce emissions, and increase efficiency. In addition to eVTOLs and eSTOLs, the industry is also exploring supersonic aircraft, which could potentially reduce travel times and increase connectivity between cities. Companies like Aerion and Spike Aerospace are working on developing supersonic aircraft that could travel at speeds of up to Mach 5, making it possible to travel from New York to London in under four hours. The aviation industry is also investing heavily in alternative fuels, such as sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), which could significantly reduce lifecycle carbon emissions. SAFs are made from renewable resources, such as waste oils, agricultural waste, and algae, and can be used in existing aircraft engines without modification. Several airlines, including British Airways and KLM, have already begun using SAFs on select flights, and the industry is working to increase production and availability. However, the industry is not without its challenges. One of the most significant issues facing the aviation sector is the skills shortage, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. The region is expected to experience a significant shortage of pilots, maintenance personnel, and other skilled workers in the coming years, which could impact the industry's ability to meet growing demand. To address this issue, airlines and governments are working together to develop training programs and attract new talent to the industry. Another challenge facing the industry is the increasing threat of cyberattacks. As airlines and airports become increasingly reliant on technology, they are also becoming more vulnerable to cyber threats. In recent years, several airlines have experienced significant cyberattacks, resulting in the theft of sensitive data and disruption to operations. To mitigate this risk, airlines and airports are investing in cybersecurity measures, such as threat detection and incident response systems. Geopolitical issues are also having a significant impact on the aviation industry. The ongoing pandemic has led to travel restrictions and quarantine measures, which have disrupted global travel patterns. Additionally, tensions between countries and regions are affecting air travel, with several airlines being forced to reroute or cancel flights due to geopolitical instability. Despite these challenges, the aviation industry remains committed to sustainability and technological advancements. Airlines and manufacturers are investing heavily in research and development, and governments are implementing policies to support the growth of sustainable aviation. As the industry continues to evolve, it is likely that we will see significant advancements in areas such as electric propulsion, artificial intelligence, and advanced materials. The future of aviation is exciting and uncertain, with many challenges and opportunities on the horizon. However, one thing is clear: the industry's focus on sustainability and technological advancements will play a critical role in shaping its future. As airlines, manufacturers, and regulatory bodies work together to address the industry's challenges and capitalise on new opportunities, we can expect to see a more efficient, sustainable, and connected world. Therefore, the ongoing trend is taloured towards a transformation that is driven by a renewed focus on sustainability and technological push. While the industry faces challenges such as skills shortages, cyber threats, and geopolitical instability as earlier mentioned, it remains committed to reducing its environmental impact and promoting sustainable aviation practices. Hence, as the industry evolves, it is likely that we will see significant advancements in areas such as electric propulsion, alternative fuels, and advanced materials. The future of aviation is seemingly bright, and it will be exciting to see how the industry continues to shape and transform the world. Copyright © 2022 Nigerian Tribune Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
China joins supersonic race with plans for Concorde-beating jet
China has revealed plans for its own supersonic successor to Concorde, launching an aerospace race with the United States. Engineers from the country's state-owned aircraft manufacturer, Comac, revealed blueprints for the new plane in an academic paper published earlier this month. The aircraft will be able to fly 1.6 times faster than the speed of sound and travel distances of up to 11,000km, or 6,800 miles, at a time. The range would allow the plane to fly from Britain to Malaysia non-stop, and is well above Concorde's maximum range of around 4,500 miles. China's C949 jet is also set to be much quieter than Concorde, with sonic booms of 89.3 decibels compared to the Anglo-French jet's thunderous 105. The shape of C949's 'reverse-camber' fuselage is set to dampen the shock waves caused by the surrounding air travelling faster than the speed of sound, which creates loud booms that can be heard nearby. Concorde's own sonic booms saw it blocked from taking overland flights following noise complaints. The Chinese craft is designed to hold 168 passengers, more than the 128 maximum capacity of the Concorde. C949 will be slower than its predecessor, however. Concorde reached top speeds of Mach-2.2, equivalent to 2,154 km per hour or 1,338 miles per hour, meaning it could fly from London to New York in less than three hours. C949's top speed will be Mach 1.6. The Chinese plans are part of a wave of interest in reviving commercial supersonic air travel, which ended with the retirement of the Concorde in 2003 following a catastrophic crash at Paris' Charles de Gaulle Airport three years earlier that killed 113 people. Several start-ups are vying for the title of 'heir to the Concorde', with most based in the US. Boom Supersonic, which is based in Denver, Colorado, successfully launched a test flight of its prototype XB-1 supersonic passenger jet in January. The plane successfully broke the sound barrier, reaching speeds of 850 miles per hour during three separate flights over the Mojave Desert. Spike Aerospace, which is based in Boston, Massachusetts, is separately working on plans for its own 1.6-Mach passenger plane that it also expects will be quieter than Concorde. Meanwhile, Nasa and Lockheed Martin have joined forces to develop a one-person jet that is capable of travelling 1.4-Mach while making a sonic boom of just 75 decibels. Blake Scholl, Boom Supersonic's chief executive, said in a tweet over the weekend: 'A'ight folks, it's no surprise, but China has now officially entered the supersonic race. Game on. Let's beat 'em.' Beijing's pursuit of supersonic jet technology is likely to raise concerns about the potential for dual-use of the technology for military purposes. Comac was first started by the Chinese government in 2008. It is currently subject to sanctions from the US government over its links to the People's Liberation Army. In January, Beijing-based Sichuan Lingkong Tianxing Technology outlined plans for a supersonic drone able to travel at Mach-4, equivalent to 4,900km per hour, or 3,045 miles per hour. The Chinese drone is set to be called Cuantianhou, a name given to the Monkey King in Chinese mythology. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
30-03-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
China joins supersonic race with plans for Concorde-beating jet
China is developing a supersonic jet to rival the US, unveiling plans for a plane able to fly faster than the speed of sound and travel 50pc further than Concorde. Engineers from the country's state-owned aircraft manufacturer, Comac, revealed blueprints for the new plane in an academic paper published earlier this month. The aircraft will be able to fly 1.6 times faster than the speed of sound and travel distances of up to 11,000km, or 6,800 miles, at a time. The range would allow the plane to fly from Britain to Malaysia non-stop, and is well above Concorde's maximum range of around 4,500 miles. China's C949 jet is also set to be much quieter than Concorde, with sonic booms of 89.3 decibels compared to the Anglo-French jet's thunderous 105. The shape of C949's 'reverse-camber' fuselage is set to dampen the shock waves caused by the surrounding air travelling faster than the speed of sound, which creates loud booms that can be heard nearby. Concorde's own sonic booms saw it blocked from taking overland flights following noise complaints. The Chinese craft is designed to hold 168 passengers, more than the 128 maximum capacity of the Concorde. C949 will be slower than its predecessor, however. Concorde reached top speeds of Mach-2.2, equivalent to 2,154 km per hour or 1,338 miles per hour, meaning it could fly from London to New York in less than three hours. C949's top speed will be Mach 1.6. The Chinese plans are part of a wave of interest in reviving commercial supersonic air travel, which ended with the retirement of the Concorde in 2003 following a catastrophic crash at Paris' Charles de Gaulle Airport three years earlier that killed 113 people. Several start-ups are vying for the title of 'heir to the Concorde', with most based in the US. Boom Supersonic, which is based in Denver, Colorado, successfully launched a test flight of its prototype XB-1 supersonic passenger jet in January. The plane successfully broke the sound barrier, reaching speeds of 850 miles per hour during three separate flights over the Mojave Desert. Spike Aerospace, which is based in Boston, Massachusetts, is separately working on plans for its own 1.6-Mach passenger plane that it also expects will be quieter than Concorde. Meanwhile, Nasa and Lockheed Martin have joined forces to develop a one-person jet that is capable of travelling 1.4-Mach while making a sonic boom of just 75 decibels. Black Scholl, Boom Supersonic's chief executive, said in a tweet over the weekend: 'A'ight folks, it's no surprise, but China has now officially entered the supersonic race. Game on. Let's beat 'em.' Beijing's pursuit of supersonic jet technology is likely to raise concerns about the potential for dual-use of the technology for military purposes. Comac was first started by the Chinese government in 2008. It is currently subject to sanctions from the US government over its links to the People's Liberation Army. In January, Beijing-based Sichuan Lingkong Tianxing Technology outlined plans for a supersonic drone able to travel at Mach-4, equivalent to 4,900km per hour, or 3,045 miles per hour. The Chinese drone is set to be called Cuantianhou, a name given to the Monkey King in Chinese mythology.
Telegraph
08-03-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
The Concorde successor trying to crack the Achilles heel of supersonic travel
Of all the factors that killed off Concorde more than two decades ago, it was the jet's thunderclap-loud sonic boom that ensured its demise. Soaring maintenance costs, an eye-watering fuel bill and a crash that killed 113 people may have prefaced the plane's grounding – but it was the boom that left it fundamentally flawed. Banned from flying over land as a result of the window-rattling roar and lacking the range to cross the Pacific, Concorde was left confined to ferrying the ultra-rich across the Atlantic, a market that proved too limited to sustain the iconic jet. However, with advances in engine design, aerodynamics and science putting high-speed flights back on the agenda, one company is planning to eliminate the Achilles heel of supersonic travel by tackling the boom head-on. US-based Spike Aerospace reckons the 110-decibel bang can be reduced to a mere thud by limiting both its volume and the way it is dispersed through a technique called aerodynamic shaping. That should pave the way for supersonic flights over land, said Vik Kachoria, Spike's founder and chief executive. 'We call it a sonic thump,' he said. 'It should be the sound of a car door closing about 100 feet away. A very quiet sonic boom. 'We're positioning the fuselage, nose cone, wings and engines in such a way that there's still a boom but you're directing it upwards into the sky and minimising how it coalesces. 'What normally happens is the shock waves from different parts of the aircraft coalesce and that's what magnifies the intensity.' Spike is working on a plane the size of a business jet that will have between 18 and 28 seats, costing potential buyers around $125m (£97m), according to Mr Kachoria – which is the same price as a Boeing 737. The jet, called the S-512 Diplomat, would cruise at 50,000 feet, where the air is thinner, and speed along at Mach 1.6 (1,220mph), twice the pace of a modern jumbo jet, though slower than Concorde's Mach 2. The design features a so-called cranked delta wing that minimises the shock wave while bringing the added bonus of reduced drag and improved efficiency, Mr Kachoria said. The result should be a perceived loudness level for people beneath the flight path of less than 75 decibels, regarded as the maximum acceptable for supersonic flights over land. The company is betting that the noise reduction will allow the plane to operate across Europe and the US, as well as between Europe and the Middle East, and throughout Asia. Flights the length of Africa or the Americas would also be possible given sufficient demand. The boom doesn't just happen once as a supersonic aircraft goes beyond the speed of sound, but is constant as air molecules are pushed aside with great force – creating a shock wave much like a ship produces a bow wave. Anyone within 50 miles of the flight path will hear a boom, with the noise dissipating the further the listener is from the plane, though Mr Kachoria said people were not the only concern when contemplating supersonic flights over land. He said: 'Concorde was criticised for shaking buildings and breaking windows. 'Then there are animals. The migratory patterns of birds are going to be affected by a loud sonic boom and really disrupted. And marine animals that use echolocation to figure out where they are and to find mates and prey.' Boom Supersonic, a rival start-up which has been leading the bid to revive faster-than-sound flight, is also exploring ways of reducing the impact of boom – having initially suggested its plans would be limited to services over the ocean. The company last month said it planned to offer 'boomless cruise' over land after its XB-1 demonstrator broke the sound barrier three times without shock waves reaching the ground during its first supersonic flight in January. Mr Kachoria said that minimising the noise of a supersonic aircraft on take-off was as important as reducing the boom given the latest US and European regulations. Spike plans to use a modified version of an off-the-shelf engine from one of two potential suppliers, he said, while declining to name them. Meanwhile, General Electric halted a supersonic engines project with the collapse of Spike rival Aerion in 2021, while Boom Supersonic is developing its own engine in conjunction with defence contractor Kratos Defense. Spike is targeting its first launch in the early 2030s, with its latest subsonic demonstrator aircraft to be built this year, followed by supersonic flights and a full-scale prototype. Nasa's X-59 low-boom flight demonstrator aircraft, under development at Lockheed Martin 's Skunk Works, should provide some guidance on what sonic boom levels are acceptable, said Mr Kachoria. The X-59 is scheduled to begin flight testing this year with the aim of creating a 75-decibel perceived noise level at Mach 1.42. Mr Kachoria said certification of a supersonic plane was the biggest challenge facing Spike, requiring it to clear not only noise-related hurdles but to address issues such as how to survive engine failure or sudden decompression 10 miles high. The Boston-based company has set aside a third of its budget to address regulatory concerns and estimates that the testing process will take more than three years, including a minimum of 3,000 hours of flight tests. Spike is also betting that service entry will coincide with the availability of synthetically produced sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) capable of reducing lifetime CO2 emissions by around 80pc compared with kerosene. That should help neutralise arguments from those who oppose a return to supersonic travel on the basis that it flies in the face of net zero. Mr Kachoria said: 'One of the reasons for our timeline is to line up with SAF's widespread availability. It's got to be available globally and I think, by then, it will be. 'We spent a lot of time looking at alternative fuels, hydrogen, battery, and none of them were really viable. So it really it's fossil fuels or SAF.' Spike sees the core market for the plane as business people wanting to travel together to meet with customers and suppliers, as well as government officials on urgent missions. Mr Kachoria said airlines had also shown an interest, predicting they could charge a premium of up to 30pc above a standard business-class ticket. That could indicate an annual market of around 25m passengers and a requirement for about 850 planes over the course of 20 years, he said. Development costs will run into 'several billion dollars', he said, adding that Spike is backed by 'a small group of very wealthy individuals'. As for the supersonic experience itself, Spike will prioritise speed over luxury. Unlike most premium cabins, the jets will have no lie-flat beds, although they will be able to cross the Atlantic in three and a half hours – as Concorde was able to do. Spike's plane would also be windowless, barring a handful of panels required for safety reasons, making the fuselage sleeker while eliminating engine and wind noise to deliver a cabin that would be 20 decibels quieter. Mr Kachoria said: 'We've removed the windows and put in a digital screen with camera feeds from the outside. We bring in images and stitch them together to create one large landscape view. 'Or a passenger can have their own individual portal, just like at home, watching movies or making a PowerPoint presentation.'
CNN
06-02-2025
- Business
- CNN
Supersonic jets are making a comeback. Here's what that means for air passengers
Last week, American company Boom Supersonic flew faster than the speed of sound with its XB-1 supersonic demonstrator aircraft. It's now the first piloted non-military aircraft to break the sound barrier since the Concorde was retired from service in 2003. It's the first step in Boom's ambitious goal to have supersonic airliners carry passengers by 2029. But what exactly is supersonic travel? There are good reasons why it's not more common, despite the hype. The Mach number is defined as a plane's speed divided by the speed that sound waves move through the air. To 'break the sound barrier' means to fly faster than the speed of sound, with Mach numbers greater than 1. The Mach number is an important ratio: as a plane flies, it disturbs the air in front of it. These disturbances move at the speed of sound. In supersonic flight these disturbances combine to form shock waves around the vehicle. When people say you can see a fighter jet before you hear it, they're referring to supersonic flight: fighter jets can travel at around Mach 2. The sound from the fighter jet is trapped inside its shock wave; until the shock wave moves to your position on the ground, you won't hear the plane. For efficiency reasons, most passenger jets cruise slightly slower than the speed of sound, at around Mach 0.8 (this is subsonic flight). Boom plans to build an airliner called Overture that can fly at Mach 1.7. Flying supersonically can drastically decrease flight times. The company claims a trip from New York to Rome on Overture could take just four hours and 40 minutes, instead of eight hours. Boom isn't the only company working on this lofty goal. American firm Spike Aerospace is also developing a supersonic business jet, with the tagline 'delivering the world in half the time'. This is the value proposition of supersonic passenger travel. In limited ways, it did already exist in the 20th century. However, due to timing, bad luck and the laws of physics, it didn't continue. Designs for supersonic airliners began in the mid-20th century, and by the 1970s we had supersonic passenger flight. There was the little-known Russian Tupolev-144 and Concorde, a Franco-British supersonic airliner operated by British Airways and Air France from 1976 to 2003. Concorde had a capacity of up to 128 passengers and cruised at Mach 2. It regularly travelled from London to New York in around three hours. The flights were expensive, mainly shuttling business people and the rich and famous. Concorde was designed in the 1960s when it seemed like supersonic passenger transport was going to be the next big thing. Instead, the Boeing 747 entered commercial service in 1970. Cheap, large and efficient airliners like it blew Concorde out of the water. Designed to cruise efficiently at supersonic speeds, Concorde was extremely fuel inefficient when taking off and accelerating. Concorde's expensive, 'gas guzzling' nature was a complaint levelled against it for most of its lifetime. A catastrophic 1973 Paris air show crash of the competing Russian airliner, Tupolev Tu-144, also shifted public perception on supersonic flight safety at a time when many airlines were considering whether or not to purchase Concordes. Only 20 Concordes were manufactured out of the planned 100. It is still disputed today whether Concorde ever made money for the airlines who operated it. Remember the fighter jets? When a plane travels supersonically, its shock waves propagate to the ground, causing loud disturbances called sonic booms. In extreme cases they can shatter windows and damage buildings. In the early 1970s, sonic boom concerns led the United States government to ban supersonic passenger flight over land in the US. This hurt the Concorde's potential market, hence its only two regular routes were trans-Atlantic flights principally over the water. The Concorde was also a very loud plane at takeoff, since it needed a lot of thrust to leave the ground. A future for supersonic travel relies on solving some or all of the issues Concorde faced. NASA and Lockheed Martin's Quesst project aims to show sonic boom can be dissipated to manageable levels. They plan to fly their X-59 supersonic aircraft over US cities and gauge responses from citizens. Quesst aims to use the geometry of the X-59, with a long elongated nose, to dissipate sonic booms to a weak 'thump', hopefully allowing supersonic airliners to travel over land in the future. Spike Aerospace's Spike S-512 Diplomat concept also aims to be a 'quiet' supersonic aircraft with a less disruptive sonic boom. Boom Supersonic doesn't plan to fly supersonically over land. Its plan is to fly over land at Mach 0.94, which it claims will allow 20% faster overland travel than standard passenger airliners, even subsonically. It also claim the design of its engines will ensure Overture is no louder than modern subsonic airliners when it takes off. In terms of gas-guzzling, it plans to use up to 100% sustainable aviation fuel to reduce emissions and its carbon footprint. Concorde was made of aluminium using design tools available in the 1960s. Modern design methods and modern aerospace materials such as titanium and carbon fibre should also allow Overture and similar craft to weigh much less than Concorde, improving efficiency. While Boom is currently receiving a lot of interest, with orders from many airlines, Concorde did have similar commitment before it become available. Most of it didn't eventuate. Additionally, Concorde was the product of an analog era when the idea of flying to London or New York for the day for an important business meeting seemed like a necessary thing. In a world of remote work and video meetings, is there still a need for a supersonic airliner in the 2020s? For now, supersonic airliners like Overture are likely to remain in the realm of the rich and famous, like Concorde did. But with modern technological advances, it will be interesting to see whether supersonic passenger travel once again becomes reality — or even goes mainstream. Only time will tell.
