Boeing unveils concept for hypersonic airliner

Boeing unveiled a new concept for its first passenger-carrying hypersonic airplane at the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics conference in Atlanta. One of several hypersonic vehicle concepts spanning a wide range of potential applications under study by company engineers, the passenger vehicle could involve military or commercial applications. Engineers companywide are working to develop so-called “enabling technologies” aimed at preparing Boeing for a time markets show a readiness for hypersonic flight. Although Kevin Bowcutt, a senior technical fellow and chief scientist of hypersonics, wouldn’t speculate on a time frame for introduction of hypersonic flight for global travel, a hypersonic passenger vehicle could fly in 20 to 30 years, he estimated. <br/>