The US Air Force is looking for options for a new supersonic airliner for the country's top officials

In 2003, the Anglo-French Concorde aircraft was decommissioned, which immediately put a transport Aviation in a not very comfortable position. The aerospace industry was struggling to decide which aircraft to develop, given the conflicting demands for high speed, reliability and low cost.

Recently, United Airlines signed an agreement to acquire 15 Overture airliners from Boom Supersonic in Denver. Overture in the expert community is called an analogue of "Concords" and Soviet Tu-144. The liner will develop a speed of Mach 1,7 and have almost zero environmental impact due to the use of special environmentally friendly fuel. However, the first aircraft of this type is expected no earlier than 2025.

Now the US Air Force uses a special C-32A aircraft, made on the basis of the Boeing 757-200 and designed to transport the country's top political leadership, including the president, vice president and secretary of state.

However, the recently released US Air Force budget for 2022 completely lacks funding for the recapitalization of the C-32 aircraft. The latest budget allocation for these purposes was $ 6,197 million and was budgeted for 2021. As the American columnist Thomas Newdick writes, especially interesting is the moment that the US Air Force has already redirected the remaining funds from the C-32A recapitalization program for researching high-speed transport aircraft. The documents note that after 2020, the remaining funds have been used to assess the capabilities of promising high-speed transport aircraft with the potential to replace the C-32A at the appropriate time.

In 2020, the US Air Force is known to have signed contracts with three different companies working on high-speed air travel for VIPs. Boom Supersonic was among these companies, which introduced the XB-1 "Baby Boom" supersonic jet in October 2020. The upcoming tests using the XB-1, according to Newdick, may inform us about the development of the Overture supersonic airliner.

But Boom Supersonic is just one of three companies, and the other two are Supersonic Aircraft Company Exosonic and aerospace startup Hermeus Corporation.

At the same time, according to budget documents, the C-32A can be operated for another 18 years, they can leave service only in 2040. The C-32A is currently operated by 1st Squadron, 89th Air Wing, US Air Force Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. And while the U.S. military is preoccupied with looking for promising options, some further upgrades are still planned for the C-32A at a cost of $ 1,949 million in fiscal 2022. These costs can be used to upgrade the communications systems of the senior executive on board the aircraft.

Thomas Newdick notes the ambiguity of the Air Force's plans for high-speed air transport for the country's leadership. Since the amounts of contracts are small, so far we are talking only about research in this direction. On the other hand, not only the transportation of the country's top leadership can be discussed: Newdick emphasizes that supersonic aircraft of this class can be adapted to perform a number of other tasks - reconnaissance and surveillance, and even air strikes if they are refitted.

Comments

[Alexander 3]

Putin will fly on TU 160

[Real Pilot]

In my opinion, this is a dead end idea.
For an aircraft of this level, size is critical. There are usually a lot of escorts with the president or vice president (they are not allowed on the same plane by law), there is usually a command post with communication equipment on board, there is a bedroom and an office, a cargo hold with a presidential limousine (on Board # 1 based on 747), luggage members of the delegation. And something else secret that we are not told about ...

And again, flight safety is at the core of everything. Risks of depressurization, increased requirements for mechanical strength, etc. If you fly in supersonic every time, then the resource is less, and if it is very rare, then such an aircraft is not needed. And for a liner of this size, the technical complexity and price will be unreasonably high.

The small size of the supersonic aircraft in this role is somewhat inappropriate. If you need to urgently deliver one person of the level of the president in the shortest possible time from one point to another, then the "spark" F-15 will solve the issue cheaply and quickly.

[Alexander 3]

What kind of state are such decisions.

[Avior]

Not always there are many accompanying people, on business trips. It is possible that a small jet is more convenient - less time wasted, faster getting there.
Supersonic business jets are considered a promising direction, and this is logical - one of the important problems of passenger supersonic ones disappears - time at the airport eats up the economy from high speed, business aircraft do not have this problem

[Zaurbek]

I think that it is quite realistic to make such a JET on the basis of turbojet engines (modern) ... the problem (main) is that it needs to be entered into civil standards for sound, service, cost and resource ....... If the leadership needed it, it would have been built already, for this everything is there.

[den3080]

Supersonic boom

And more about the almost zero impact on the environment amused

[Avior]

In vain
It is connected with the possibility of landing at certain airports, and may be prohibited for this reason

[Normal ok]

Quote: Alexander 3

Putin will fly on TU 160

No, he will lead a flock of storks))

[Vladimir61]

For the current elite of the West, history has recommended a hearse!

[Reviews]

And where did the VC-25 go, why is the whole article talked about only about the C-32?

[Babay Atasovich]

Quote: Avis

Where did the VC-25 go?

It is known where - already for him the elusive BPs for the madalka personally received from Putin. Tomorrow they'll tell you in jaundice!
BUT!!! So they and for "Denmark forbade Poland the construction of a pipeline because of rodents" orders will shlopochut for disguise as rats!

[tralflot1832]

And it turns out that the Concorde technologies are lost, the blueprints in China, all the rigging was handed over on metal. The French who built the Concordes died. All to start from scratch, the engine is environmentally friendly? Let them turn to Mask, he has a manned starship stage on the way, already 10 km flying.

[Osipov9391]

All supersonic passenger aircraft (Tu-144 and Concorde) flew at altitudes up to 20 km.
And this is very risky when the cabin is depressurized. After all, high-altitude equipment cannot be worn at all.
But according to the project for the Tu-144 pilots, it was provided.

[Avior]

And this is very risky when the cabin is depressurized.

and 10 km is risky when the cabin is depressurized, and this is the usual height of passenger liners.

[Osipov9391]

15-20 km is another topic. We need a VKK. It is on fighters and Tu-160. Putin flew in it.
It is necessary so that the vessels do not burst and the blood does not boil if depressurization occurs at a high altitude.
There was something similar on the Tu-144. Compensation vests for the crew.

[knn54]

FIRST of all, an engine with low fuel consumption, and on the other hand, a reduced noise / sonic boom level at ALL stages of flight, from takeoff to landing. BUT from a design point of view, this is a CONTRACTUAL requirement.
To reduce the cost of the product, a batch of business jets is needed, which can be sold abroad.

[Reviews]

Quote: knn54

reduced noise / sonic boom level at ALL stages of flight, starting from takeoff and ending planting.

And where does he come from at these stages?

[eklmn]

To reduce the cost of the product, a batch of business jets is needed, which can be sold abroad.

A plant for the production of Boom Supersonic is already under construction. First flight in 2022.
“Now the military is funding efforts to build new supersonic airliners, and they are not alone. On Thursday, United Airlines said it would buy 15 supersonic airliners (with an option to acquire 35 more) from startup Boom Supersonic. The planes, dubbed Overture, will be able to carry 88 passengers and fly at Mach 1,7 at roughly 1300 miles per hour, nearly double the speed of sound. The U.S. Air Force paid Boom and two other high-speed airliner startups to develop the concept of VIP transport aircraft such as the Air Force Two. If supersonic transport isn't fast enough for you, the US military is considering using rockets to resupply troops anywhere in the world within one hour. Jokes aside. There was a lot of shouting when General Carlton Everhart, then head of Air Mobility Command, back in 2018 proposed using rockets to resupply forward troops - no less than 100 tons per flight. Well, the Air Force's 2022 budget request includes $ 48 million to test if this is feasible. SpaceX is a consultant for the project. ”

[tralflot1832]

And the prototype flew, you could not hear it on the VO? Otherwise, these are just words!

[eklmn]

Did the prototype fly, you could not hear it on the VO?

Nah, Boom XB-1 prototype didn't fly, test this year.
The company calculated the design so well that they have no doubt about the positive result, so they have already begun to build a plant for the production of a 15-seat business-class aircraft. The 55-seat aircraft will be launched in 2025.
“Under the agreement, United will acquire 15 Boom Overture airliners once Overture meets United's stringent safety, operational and resilience requirements, with the option to purchase an additional 35 aircraft. The companies will work together to meet these requirements prior to delivery. Upon entry into service, the Overture is expected to be the first major commercial aircraft to be carbon-free from day one and optimized to run on 100% Environmentally Friendly Aviation Fuel (SAF). It is scheduled to launch in 2025, depart in 2026 and is expected to carry passengers by 2029. United and Boom will also work together to expedite the production of more SAFs. “The world's first zero-carbon supersonic aircraft purchase agreement marks a significant step towards our mission to create a more accessible world,” said Blake Scholl, founder and CEO of Boom Supersonic. "
And here, at UT, you can watch and hear the story of the pilot team of engineers about the aircraft. (eng):
https://youtu.be/fwdmE3ItbOk

[Avior]

They want to do so - based on the business budget

[cniza]

Newdick emphasizes that supersonic aircraft of this class can be adapted to perform a number of other tasks - reconnaissance and surveillance and even air strikes if they are converted.

Wrapped up abruptly ...

[rocket757]

Expensive, however.
Nobody can do it by simple means.

[cniza]

Expensive, yes, but I am tormented by the question - why? The rulers are mostly not young, at supersonic for them it is not ...

[rocket757]

Yankees, guys are practical ... immediately plans a product for different uses.
In general, these are all plans. We'll see how they do it.

[stas Sv]

And what's the difference on subsonic you fly or supersonic ???
The only difference is that at subsonic t is more maneuverable

[Avior]

Supersonic faster

[Pavel57]

It's time to return to the supersonic business jet based on the Su-27.

[Osipov9391]

There will be no Tu-160 as a passenger plane (even for high-ranking officials). This is a very complex machine. She needs a special kerosene, and not a simple one from a tanker, but nitrided one. Complex and expensive equipment for this process. And the preparation of the technical staff.
In Russia, there is very little airfield where such fuel can be poured. There are none at all abroad.
I'm not talking about fuel efficiency and noise.
The only civilian use of the Tu-160 is the launch of aircraft carrier rockets or orbital aircraft.
For this, the civilian version of the Tu-160SK can be made as lightweight and simplified as possible. By removing all military systems and equipment. Fuel tanks are optional instead of missile compartments.
That would be really smart. It arrives anywhere on the planet and launches a satellite over the ocean.

[rocket757]

Wanting faster is a natural tendency for many ... let's see what they can do.

[mvg]

Polonsky "burst". Again, the rabbit author draws 3-5 articles a day. None deserves a spot on VO.
PS: It is not there that the manufacturer shows his talents. Not there...

[fa2998]

Quote: Alexander 3

Putin will fly on TU 160

Just for this purpose, they began to produce Tu again - and not boldly for the president? He has already built the Aurus for 12 billion Yes, and on the Il-96 (86) is used only there.
I think the Americans will end up with a serial commercial aircraft being redesigned for the first persons.

[tralflot1832]

So it seems that Sukhoi signed an agreement of intent with Qatar on the creation of a supersonic business jet! And no news.

[Revolver]

Now the US Air Force uses a special C-32A aircraft, made on the basis of the Boeing 757-200 and designed to transport the country's top political leadership, including the president, vice president and secretary of state.

What nonsense. The President has the right to fly long distances on one and only one side - Air Force One. Well, that is, there are several of them, like one is flying, the rest are in reserve, but these are practically the same special devices based on the Boeing 747, and what they are stuffed with in addition to the luxurious cabin is a secret.
Trump has his own Boeing 757, but when he was President, he was not allowed to use it. Well, that is, relatives and friends - please, but myself - no, no, only Air Force One.
And for short distances, respectively, the Marine One spinner.
Here is VP - he / she flies a Boeing C-32.