Reaction Engines Limited in the UK is presently engaged on an EU funded project to examine the possibility of producing a hypersonic passenger plane (Configuration A2) to travel long distances – such as Brussels to Sydney in about 2 to 4-hours instead of the current 18 to 22-hours – by traveling at supersonic speeds of Mach 4 to Mach 8 (British Airways Concorde could achieve speeds just above Mach 2).
The new proposed passenger plane would used an advanced Scimitar precooled engine that is capable of sustained Mach 5 flight whilst achieving an effective exhaust velocity of order 40,900 m/s. In addition the engine has a second operating mode that features a high bypass airflow permitting efficient subsonic flight and moderate takeoff noise. Reaction Engines Limited believe that running costs would place ticket prices at the Business Class/First Class market of travellers.
Unlike Concorde the A2 vehicle has exceptional range (approx 20,000 km both subsonic and supersonic) and is therefore able to service a large number of routes whilst simultaneously avoiding supersonic overflight of populated areas. Its good subsonic performance enables it to service conventional subsonic overland routes thereby increasing its sales potential to airlines.
The next stage of the project will begin in October 2008, with a €10 million ($14.2 million) LAPCAT II project that will analyse the hydrogen-fuelled Mach 5 and Mach 8 transport concepts in more detail.
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