B/CA Show News - NBAA 2007 Day 1 - (Page 66) NEW AIRCRAFT N BA A 2007 continued from page 64 Dassault SSBJ SAI QSST the aircraft will still have a business case. In any event, it should be able to achieve boomless flight at M1.1 thanks to current technology, while increasing to M1.6 cruise over water or other unpopulated areas. NBAA range at the latter speed and up to 51,000 feet will be 4,000 nmi, operating from a 6,000-foot runway. Verdict: Slim chance Dassault SSBJ After considering supersonics in the previous decade and deciding that the technology—particularly that of the engines—was not yet ripe, Dassault returned to the fray at last year’s NBAA Convention with its engineers’ sketches of three possible aircraft with contrasting layouts. Although it is the only company in the world producing both business jets and supersonic fighters, Dassault is treading cautiously. Sonic boom reduction and engine longevity in the sustained supersonic cruise regime are main areas of concern. There may be some spin-off from the European HISAC program, launched in 2005 to study an eight/16-seat, environmentally friendly high-speed aircraft flying at up to M1.8. Dassault is leading the low-noise team in this three-pronged venture, while Alenia and partners are looking at long range and Sukhoi’s team is studying low boom effects. Gulfstream SBJ demonstrator needs to be flying in 2011. The company concluded (in February) its Quiet Spike flight test program, using a NASA-flown F-15 Eagle fighter fitted with a long telescopic nose probe to shape the supersonic shockwave and reduce its impact. As on the F-15, the probe would need to be extended only while supersonic. Gulfstream thinks it has an achievable goal and is planning to put together an independent team of suppliers that will not wait for a U.S. governmentfunded program to support its work. Notwithstanding rival programs, the aim is to be first to ing subsonic flight. It is, therefore, banking on regulators relaxing rules banning supersonic overflight. “Concorde divided by more than 100” is the current claim for supersonic footprint. Needing two 33,000-pound-thrust turbofans, the QSST will cost about the same as the Aerion and Gulfstream designs and will carry eight to 12 business travelers. A later, stretched version could accommodate up to 30 high-density passengers. Structure will combine metal and composites. Projected cruising speed is M1.6 to 1.8 at 40,000 to 60,000 feet over 4,000 nmi, using a Gulfstream SBJ Gulfstream has blown hot and cold over a supersonic business jet, but its recent research project with NASA leaves no doubt that the possibility is being seriously considered. Overland supersonic flight is the company’s declared goal (reiterated as recently as this past May, at EBACE in Geneva); that requires a change of international legislation; ICAO is the responsible body, and the earliest practical time for presenting it with persuasive facts is 2013; ergo, a 66 market. The suggested price is about $80 million— to the cent what Aerion is thinking. Verdict: Slim chance SAI QSST The Quiet Small Supersonic Transport, which Supersonic Aerospace International announced at the 2004 NBAA Convention, combines new engines and patented low-sonic-boom technology at the tradeoff of a 10-percent range penalty dur- 7,500-foot runway. SAI studies forecast a world market for 300 to 400 such airplanes over 15 years, including government and special mission applications. Background work on QSST feasibility has been performed by Lockheed Martin under a $20 million contract. The company is aiming for first flight in 2010-2011 and an in-service date of 2012 but has made no progress announcements of late. Verdict: Slim chance September 25, 2007 www.aviationweek.com/shownews http://www.aviationweek.com/shownews
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