Japan Successfully Tests New Supersonic Aircraft
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| The newly tested supersonic aircraft by Japan |
Japan has successfully tested a new generation of supersonic aircraft, designed to replace the previous Concorde model, three years after a failed initial test in the Australian desert.
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) announced that this test was conducted at the Woomera test range with the aid of a booster rocket. The new aircraft can carry 300 passengers and achieve speeds twice that of sound.
JAXA spokesperson Mr. Mayuni Onodera stated in an interview with AFP at the test site, “The test was successfully conducted.”
During this test, a model of the aircraft, measuring 11.5 meters, was separated from the booster rocket at an altitude of 18,000 meters, subsequently reaching a speed of 2,450 km/h within approximately 15 minutes. Mr. Onodera remarked that the aircraft, valued at several million USD, landed safely and the test was a resounding success.
Designers hope to bring this aircraft into production within the next 15 to 20 years. This new aircraft will reduce pollution and noise compared to the Concorde, which has been out of service for two years.
The data from today’s test will be utilized by Japan and France to develop a new generation of supersonic aircraft.
In June, Japan’s Minister of Trade announced that military contractors and engineers from both countries had agreed to collaborate on researching this supersonic aircraft over the next three years.
