Flight Home

Supersonic Aerospace International (SAI) says preliminary design of its Quiet Supersonic Transport (QSST) is essentially complete, but work on development plans continues as the company seeks financial and production partners for the low-boom business jet.

"There will be more refinement of the design in Phase 2 that will allow Phase 3 systems development to begin in earnest in 2009," says SAI chief executive Michael Paulson, Phase 2 will include more windtunnel testing to improve lift-to-drag ratio while maintaining the QSST's "very low" sonic signature, he says.

Phase 2 work will also include preliminary systems design, cabin interior and cockpit layout refinement as SAI works to assemble an industrial and financial consortium to build the Lockheed Martin Skunk Works-designed QSST.

• Aerion and SAI update SSBJ plans
• Supersonic business jets make progress