Aircraft
Spike Aero To Fly Subsonic Prototype of SSBJ This Year
The scale prototype of its S-512 Quiet Supersonic Jet will demonstrate low-speed aerodynamic flight characteristics.
Spike Aerospace expects to certify its $60 to $80 million, low-boom, Mach 1.6 SSBJ by 2023. To keep on that path, it plans to fly a low-speed demonstrator this summer and a supersonic prototype by the end of next year. (Photo: Spike Aerospace)
Spike Aerospace expects to certify its $60 to $80 million, low-boom, Mach 1.6 SSBJ by 2023. To keep on that path, it plans to fly a low-speed demonstrator this summer and a supersonic prototype by the end of next year. (Photo: Spike Aerospace)

Spike Aerospace expects to fly a subsonic prototype of its 18-passenger supersonic business jet (SSBJ) this summer, the Boston-based company announced today. The scale prototype of its S-512 Quiet Supersonic Jet will demonstrate low-speed aerodynamic flight characteristics. It plans to follow this with a series of larger prototypes and a supersonic demonstrator by the end of next year.