SUPERSONIC TRANSPORT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM This report describes the program for the development of a commercial supersonic transport aircraft as approved by the President. June 19, 1963 SUMMARY The supersonic transport represents the next inevitable advance in commercial aviation. The rate of growth of aviation in the United States has been closely related to the growth in safety and speed of transport aircraft. The United States manufacturing and air carrier interests are important to the welfare of the United States. A supersonic transport in commercial service is assured by the British/French program to develop the Concorde. The British/French Concorde will be introduced into commercial passenger service in 1970 carrying 96-104 passengers with a range of 3750 statute miles and a design speed of Mach 2.2. There is a potential initial market for United States supersonic transport for 200-250 aircraft. There will be a foreign market for a United States supersonic transport ranging from $2 to $3 billion over a 10-year period. There are three basic risks involved in any development program for a supersonic transport: 1. that technological problems cannot be satisfactorily overcome. 2. that a supersonic transport will not have satisfactory economics. 3. that sonic boom overpressures will result in undue public disturbance. 1 |