Thanks to the specialists of the Kazan National Research Technical University (KAI), Russia can create an apparatus for intercontinental flights across the stratosphere. This stratolet for traveling between different continents has already been designed.
As stated RIA News, this information has been released to the public "Rospatent".
According to the project, the structure of the strat will include the fuselage, wings, control surfaces in the front and rear of the vehicle, as well as a rocket or air-rocket engine that will use oxygen. The upper stage, which has an oval wing connected to the ends of the aircraft's wings, will be powered by two gas turbine engines. With its help, they plan to fly between continents at a speed exceeding the speed of sound.
Compared to foreign counterparts, it will be able to carry more payload and will spend less time taking off. The closest of these to its intended purpose is the UK-based reusable unmanned spacecraft Skylon, which is slated to launch in the next few years.
But at subsonic and low supersonic speeds, its engine is less economical than the engine of a stratolet created by the Russians. In addition, the British apparatus is heavier, which is why it may need additional help in the form of acceleration carts during takeoff.