nsx_23
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- Joined
- May 9, 2009
- Messages
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I'll believe it when they finish certifying it.
In regards to your question CF, my guess would be cost. Perhaps after several design iterations the team found this to be the most cost-effective solution. I certainly cannot imagine an integrated turbine/ramjet being economically viable right now for even a high-end business jet, and the engine itself would have to come from one of the dominant manufacturers to convince operators that it can be serviced and maintained in a timely fashion. Rich people/charter operators aren't about to blow several mil on a bizjet that only looks good on the tarmac but is insanely expensive to operate and difficult to get parts for.
Rather than reinventing the wheel, it was most likely "easier" to combine existing technologies into a single airframe. My question would be - How do they replenish the rockets after each flight, or would it be made to run on the same fuel as the ramjet or turbine engine?
In regards to your question CF, my guess would be cost. Perhaps after several design iterations the team found this to be the most cost-effective solution. I certainly cannot imagine an integrated turbine/ramjet being economically viable right now for even a high-end business jet, and the engine itself would have to come from one of the dominant manufacturers to convince operators that it can be serviced and maintained in a timely fashion. Rich people/charter operators aren't about to blow several mil on a bizjet that only looks good on the tarmac but is insanely expensive to operate and difficult to get parts for.
Rather than reinventing the wheel, it was most likely "easier" to combine existing technologies into a single airframe. My question would be - How do they replenish the rockets after each flight, or would it be made to run on the same fuel as the ramjet or turbine engine?
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