Sukhoi Commercial Aircraft has started preliminary research into the development of a supersonic jet. The development is in the first phase of the internal assessment, according to Taras Chaika, the company's vice-president and the programme manager.
The main objective is to assess the economic efficiency of the programme and its capacity to attract overeas investors, conduct marketing research and evaluate and minimise financial, organisational and technological risks, Chaika says.
"We need at least one large partner in the USA and Europe," he says. "Our preliminary assessments show the costs of research and development of the aircraft and the engine will exceed $2 billion," Chaika adds. Between 350 and 400 aircraft must be sold to offset development costs.
Source: Flight International
