Japan and France to develop 'new concorde'
16.06.05
Japan and France have signed an agreement to develop a new supersonic jet that will succeed Concorde and break new records in the history of aviation. They signed an agreement at the Paris Air Show to jointly develop a next-generation supersonic jet. The 'new concorde' will be larger, faster, quieter, safer and more fuel-efficient than its illustrious predecessor. They will carry out research together over the next 3 years, before looking to build the plane.
A spokesman for the project said the agreement would: 'combine Japan's manufacturing technology with France's supersonic technology.' The Society of Japanese Aerospace Companies will work with France's Aerospace Industries Association to build the new supersonic jet. Under the terms of the agreement, the SST Project (standing for Supersonic Transport) will conduct 3 year studies on the technological requirements of the aircraft before starting to build an updated Concorde, which was designed and built in the 1960's.
Initial designs displayed at the air show are very similar to the original Concorde, even including the aircraft's iconic pointed nose and long, flared wings. But Japanese and French aerospace experts hope that newer technology will make the aircraft much quieter and faster. For example, new engines being developed in Japan will enable the aircraft to travel at a speed of Mach 5.5, or 5.5 times the speed of sound. The old Concorde had a maximum speed of Mach 2.
Officials were unable to say how long it might be before the first prototype is able to get off the ground, or when the completed airliner might be able to take passengers to the edge of the stratosphere en route for the other side of the globe. They did say that there has been 'a lot of interest in the project' though.
