PN Futura » Artikel » Airbus’ latest patent suggests ‘Concorde 2’ hypersonic jet

DUBBED the ‘Concorde 2’, this futuristic craft could be the next step in hypersonic aviation after Airbus was awarded its patent.

The Mirror reports that the plane would be able to travel at Mach 4.5, meaning it would be possible to travel close to 6000 kilometres in just over an hour.

Future of flying ... A computer-generated image of the new airliner. Picture: Patent Yogi

It’s believed the trip would be more than three times faster than the original Concorde, which made its final flight in 2003.

Normal airliners take around eight hours to complete the flight.

In the patent, Airbus describes how the plane would use three different hydrogen engines to propel the craft at around 6000 kms an hour.

New design ... A drawing of what it could look like taken from the recent patent. Picture: Patent YogiSource:Supplied

Two turbo jets would allow the aircraft to climb vertically at takeoff, before retracting into the fuselage just before it reaches the speed of sound.

A rocket motor would also mean the airliner could cruise at 100,000 feet.

“In the case of civil applications, the market envisaged is principally that of business travel and VIP passengers, who require transcontinental return journeys within one day,” the patent explains.

It’s thought the plane would only hold about 20 people.