The world’s fastest plane: what will it look like?

US-based company Hermeus has announced plans to create a new ultrasonic commercial liner. If their official announcement is to be believed, the vehicle will have a maximum Mach number of 5 (approximately 6100 km/h) which will earn it a position as the fastest plane in the world.

At present, the company has a finished concept for the plane, and engineers have already started developing the first models of the engine and other systems. In terms of materials, Hermeus is interested in using titanium. At the heart of the vehicle will be a turbine engine with a combined cycle, which will serve as the center of the rocket launcher. All the technologies that are needed to bring the project to life already exist.

According to Hermeus COO Skylar Shuford, a prototype of the aircraft will be built within the next five years. It will be exactly the same as the commercial version of the vehicle, however it will take 3-5 years for the company to conduct various tests, so the plane will only be available for sale starting 2027.