'Concorde' Is Back: Smaller & Quieter...

Supersonic Aerospace International, LLC has contracted with Lockheed Martin's "Skunkworks" division to design and produce the new "QSST" (Quiet Super Sonic Transport) which is scheduled to fly in 2012 with F.A.A. Certification and delivery available by 2016...

Lockheed Martin has been busy developing the project since 2001. The plane will fly at Mach 1.6 to 1.8 (1,056 to 1,188 miles per hour) at altitudes between 40,000 and 60,000 feet with a range of more than 4,600 (statute) miles.

Flying twice the speed of conventional commercial aircraft, a trip from Chicago to Rome will take 4.5 hours compared to the 8.3 hours that conventional aircraft take. Interior sound levels will be comparable to those in a car at 70 miles per hour.

The plane will carry a crew of 3 and up to 12 passengers who will enjoy a large galley (and lavatory) as well as 6 feet of headroom (a "stretch" version of the plane will carry 20 to 25 passengers).

The plane will be able to fly in and out of airports with a 7,500 foot runway (which allows service at most regional and business airfields). The planes projected price (in todays dollars) should be around 80 million dollars...