What price supersonic speed? an applied market research case study Part 2

Abstract

The first supersonic business jet to enter the market will not face its competition from rival supersonic designs under development. Its true competitors are the then current generation of highly evolved high-subsonic business jets when compared on economic grounds. For a price tag of $1m for the new conception of very light jets, ranging up to $45m for the highest-performing ‘race-horse’-like corporate jets, this breed of aircraft is able to accommodate the needs of most executives, VIPs, officials, from corporate transportation to cargo services of civil to military origin. Understanding the state of modern business class aircraft and their market is essential in gaining base knowledge required for any supersonic business jet endeavor aiming at a prospective market. The key descriptors for this marketplace are market potential, market productivity, and market drivers, altogether being a measure for growth and consumer demand. Such common denominator is used to gain the understanding necessary to ascertain and visualise the top level implications regarding any supersonic business case. Having assembled an understanding of the key descriptors for business aviation, the study first analyses the flight operation of traditional subsonic and high-subsonic business jets. Such perceptive is then complemented with the peculiarities associated with supersonic operation, ultimately defining the supersonic solution space consisting of market viability, efficiency, and overall flight performance. Consequently, a vehicle development strategy and mission specification are suggested for the first generation of supersonic business jets (SSBJ) and supersonic cargo jets (SSCJ).

Feasibility study of a supersonic business jet based on the Learjet airframe

“…The market and operational analysis study (6,7) concluded that a (additional 24,600kg) and fuel weight (additional 12,700kg) relative to the Trijet. Such increased operational capability and comfort comes at the price of additional $7m per unit purchase price and a DOC increase of 30%.…”

“…The overall study goal for the SpritLear SSBJ has been to explore if such approach is able to reduce the development and purchase cost for this novel class of aircraft. This project consisted of a market assessment and mission definition phase (6,7) , followed by a technical feasibility phase (8) . The primary results from these studies can be summarised as follows:…”

“…A range of take-off field lengths has been defined (based on the minimum and maximum take-off field lengths of competing SSBJ designs (7) ) to allow for flexibility with existing propulsion systems. Sizing results presented in Chapter 5 will demonstrate the effect of range and BFL on overall aircraft size and feasibility.…”

“……', and '…what is the approximate vehicle size, propulsion requirement and projected cost for an aircraft meeting such mission?' The parametric sizing study is addressing the above questions by (a) examining the SSBJ mission requirements from the market assessment (7,8) , (b) analysis of similar SSBJ projects for comparison and validation of methods, and (c) parametrically sizing a minimum-complexity SSBJ to the mission specified.…”