The Spike S-512 is a projected supersonic business jet, designed by Spike Aerospace, an American aerospace manufacturer firm based in Boston, Massachusetts.[1]

Spike S-512
Artist's rendering of Spike S-512 in flight
Role Supersonic business jet
Manufacturer Spike Aerospace
Status Under development

Design

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It would allow long flights for business and private travelers, such as from New York City to London, to take only three to four hours instead of six to seven.[2][3] The aircraft will not have windows for the passengers. Instead, it will be equipped with cameras sending external views to thin, curved displays lining the interior walls of the fuselage.[4]

Development

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In early 2014, the company planned to promote the project with an exhibit at the 2014 EAA AirVenture Oshkosh airshow.[5] Spike then expected to launch the plane by December 2018.[4] In January 2017, a subsonic scale prototype was planned to fly in summer 2017 to demonstrate low-speed aerodynamic flight characteristics, before a series of larger prototypes and a supersonic demonstrator by the end of 2018, Spike intended to certify the S-512 by 2023.[6] By Spring 2018, Spike studied a 40- to 50-seat variant for the 13 million passengers interested in supersonic transport projected by 2025.[7] In September 2018, Spike intended to fly the S-512 by early 2021 and start deliveries in 2023.[8] In June 2021, Spike was reported to still be developing an 18-seat version.[9]

Specifications

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Data from Spike[10]

General characteristics

  • Capacity: 18 passengers
  • Length: 122 ft (37 m)
  • Wingspan: 58 ft (18 m)
  • Empty weight: 47,250 lb (21,432 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 115,000 lb (52,163 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 56,000 lb
  • Powerplant: 2 × engines , 20,000 lbf (89 kN) thrust each

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 1,033 kn (1,189 mph, 1,913 km/h) Mach 1.8
  • Cruise speed: 918 kn (1,056 mph, 1,700 km/h) Mach 1.6
  • Range: 6,200 nmi (7,100 mi, 11,500 km)
  • Service ceiling: 50,000 ft (15,000 m)

See also

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Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References

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  1. ^ "Spike Aerospace". Spike Aerospace.
  2. ^ "Spike S-512 could be the world's first supersonic business jet". New Atlas. December 27, 2013.
  3. ^ "The Spike S-512 Supersonic Jet". Spike Aerospace.
  4. ^ a b GEORGE, ALEXANDER (Feb 18, 2014). "Supersonic Jet Ditches Windows for Massive Live-Streaming Screens". Wired.
  5. ^ "New SST Contender Aims For Mach 1.8". AVweb. February 3, 2014.
  6. ^ Chad Trautvetter (January 24, 2017). "Spike Aero To Fly Subsonic Prototype of SSBJ This Year". Aviation International News.
  7. ^ Kerry Lynch (May 18, 2018). "Spike: Supersonic Market To Draw 13M Pax by 2025". AIN online.
  8. ^ Chad Trautvetter (September 4, 2018). "Spike Aims for Stage 5-compliant Supersonic Bizjet". AIN online.
  9. ^ Sider, Matt Grossman and Alison (2021-06-03). "United Plans to Buy 15 Supersonic Planes". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2021-06-07.
  10. ^ "S-512 Specifications & Performance". Spike Aerospace.
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