One of the biggest problems with supersonic air travel is the supersonic part mainly because of the potential for devastating sonic booms. The other problem with it is the fuel costs associated with it.
However NASA, in conjunction with Lockheed Martin, think they may have the answer and a gorgeous looking one at that.
Supersonic Green Machine
This future aircraft design concept for supersonic flight over land comes from the team led by the Lockheed Martin Corporation.
The team’s simulation shows possibility for achieving overland flight by dramatically lowering the level of sonic booms through the use of an “inverted-V” engine-under wing configuration. Other revolutionary technologies help achieve range, payload and environmental goals.
This supersonic cruise concept is among the designs presented in April 2010 to the NASA Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate for its NASA Research Announcement-funded studies into advanced aircraft that could enter service in the 2030-2035 timeframe.
Of course the chances of anything like this making it beyond the drawing board rendering stage is next to nil, which is too bad really.
