Originally a National Aeronautical and Space Administration research project, the X-54 supersonic plane is thought to become a possible successor commercial aircraft to the retired Concorde. According to the Gulfstream X-54 Facebook page, NASA is no longer involved with the development of this plane. Disclosure about the plane is expected to be unveiled at the U.K. Farnborough International Airshow in July, and is highly anticipated by industry enthusiasts and corporations.
Features
A key aspect of the X-54A is its ability to be less of a noise disturbance as it breaks the sound barrier per Composites World. Moreover, this sound issue was a big factor limiting the manufacture of civilian supersonic jets as it was known to reduce the commercial viability of such planes as evident in the Concorde. The Daily Mail reports the X-54 will be constructed of lighter materials and have a narrower fuselage to facilitate fuel economy and speed.
Design
In order to lower the noise of supersonic boom and ground noise, the manufacture of the X-54 has involved testing of a design structure that dramatically affects the appearance of the plane’s tail fin. Aviation Week describes this design as involving a “highly three dimensional flowfield”. Each plane will only have 12 seats and cost $80 million per Associated Newspapers, Ltd. Although this seems expensive, it is actually at the lower end of production costs. For example, if the X-54 actually does cost $80 million, then it is cheaper than a Boeing 737-800. Even if the plane is completed and contracted for public use, it is not expected to do so until 2030 per Fox News.
Capabilities
According to U.S. Department of Defense documentation, the design plans for the X-54A, the original name of the plane, includes two engines made by Rolls-Royce. The same company also produced engines for the Concorde commercial jet that was decommissioned in 2003. Composites World claims these engines are capable of producing more than 1,500 large payload fairing thrust. The Daily Mail states, the new supersonic jet will be able to fly at speeds up to 2,500 miles per hour, and make the trip from London, U.K. To Sydney, Australia in just four hours.
Function
If the X-54 design does come into fruition, the plane will compete with supersonic business jets for expedited global travel. The limited amount of seats and long-distance flights the plane would presumably be used for will quite conceivably price travelers out of travel via the X-54. This plane does have some competition from a number of supersonic business jets, and jet designs including the Aerion Supersonic Business Jet, and the Gulfstream G650.
