A SUB-SCALE prototype of a futuristic supersonic passenger airliner was revealed for the first time, ahead of its official unveiling last night.

    Created by aerospace company Boom and backed by Virgin tycoon Richard Branson, the “Baby Boom” jet could usher in a new era of affordable supersonic travel.

    Claimed to be the “world’s fastest civil aircraft ever made,” the XB-1 Supersonic Demonstrator is due to take off on its first test flight in late 2017 and could take passengers from London to New York in 3.5 hours, its maker claims.

    The planned “affordable” supersonic flight is expected to start at £1,750 (US$2,180), or £3,500 return, a price that is considerably less than a flight with Concorde’s which costs £5,400 one-way.

    The subsonic flight test will be conducted near Edwards Air Force Base in Southern California in partnership with Virgin Galactic’s The Spaceship Company. The prototype was unveiled yesterday at Centennial Airport in Denver.

    The XB-1 is a technically representative one-third-scale version of the future Boom Airliner.

    “I have long been passionate about aerospace innovation and the development of high-speed commercial flights,” said Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Group.

    The airline tycoon has confirmed that Virgin has options to buy 10 of the recently revealed supersonic Boom jets, which will be capable of flying at 1,451 mph (2,335 kph) — about 100 mph faster than Concorde — and reaching New York from London in three and a half hours.

    (SD-Agencies)