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

Abstract

AbstractThe 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).