In order to replace the “late” Concorde, the European Union has agreed to fund European civil hypersonics project. They are aiming at designing an aircraft to fly from Brussels to Sydney in just 2 to 4 hours using a non-conventional energy source. This would require a speed equivalent to Mach 4 to 8.
Reaction Engines, a British firm and one of the participants of Long-term Advanced Propulsion Concepts And Technologies (LAPCAT) has put-forth a suitable design using hydrogen fuel, called Configuration A2. The hydrogen fuel would power Scimitar, the engine to be used, which is a modification of Sabre. This is essentially a rocket engine with an additional pre-cooled turbo-compressor.
Reaction Engines claim that:
“Unlike Concorde,the A2 vehicle has exceptional range (approx 20,000 km both subsonic and supersonic) and is therefore able to service a large number of routes whilst simultaneously avoiding supersonic over-flight of populated areas. Its good subsonic performance enables it to service conventional subsonic overland routes”.
The Hypersonic Hydrogen Airliner, has a capacity for 300 passengers and can transport them from Brussels to Sydney in 4.6 hours, at a speed better than Mach 5, which is close to their target. The ticket price is expected to be about that of a business class, mostly because of hydrogen fuel being produced by electrolysis. It would have been much cheaper if hydrogen fuel was produced by conventional means, only that it emits so much of carbon in to the atmosphere and the purpose not being solved. “In principle the A2 vehicle could capture all of the current business and first class traffic due to the greatly reduced journey time,” says the firm. This greatly awaited flight is expected to take-off in a year’s time.
via : The Register
