Aviation Naval Warfare Land Systems Small Arms By Flag By Year By Tag

Boeing Model 2707 (SST)

1971 COLD WAR X-PLANE

History of the Boeing 2707 (SST)

In the 1960s, in the global race for supersonic passenger flight (using "SuperSonic Transport" or "SST"), the Boeing Company of American concern developed a plan for a 250-300 seat Speedster model "2707". This aircraft It will be powered by no less than four jet engines and will reach a cruising speed of nearly Mach 3 (about 2,300 miles per hour).

Although some development of advanced aircraft took place during the height of the Cold War (1947-1991), it was eventually completely phased out in 1971. By this time, Europe was already flying its classic supersonic Concorde, while the Soviet Union was delivering their Tupolev Tu-144 (both are detailed elsewhere on this page).

Another contender in the SST competition, Lockheed, also canceled development of its "L-2000" in 1971. Supersonic bomber.

Supersonic aircraft appeared on Boeing's radar back in the early 1950s, when multiple design studies were conducted into the feasibility of such aircraft in commercial space. Towards the end of the decade, momentum was gathering and the company began pouring additional capital and technical muscle into the concept, culminating in internal projects such as the "Type 733." The movement was aided by the political and military "race" against the East that constituted the "Cold War", the main enemy being the Soviet Union.

Boeing engineers designed three versions of what would become the "Type 2707" SST: the original "Type 2707-100" had variable flapping wings for real-time air swaps on the host aircraft as needed, "Type 2707-200" "Type 2707-100" with canards for additional control (while retaining the 2707-100's swinging wings) and "2707-300" with a more traditional fixed-wing main aircraft.

When complete, the Model 2707-200 Swing Wing with canards should have an overall length of 306 feet, a wingspan of 180.3 feet, and a height of 46.2 feet. The curb weight should be 287,500 lbs and the maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) is 430,000 lbs.

The most likely model is the 2707-300 model, which features a smooth, rounded fuselage with a very pointed nose at the front and a traditional single-tail fin. The nose cone will articulate downward to provide better visibility for the pilot during ground maneuvers, take-off and landing operations. The wings are in a delta configuration with a well swept leading edge and a straight trailing edge. Below each wing element and towards the trailing edge line are four nacelles with pods, each housing a turbojet engine (two engines per wing).

The three-wheeled undercarriage will be installed for ground operations, with two wheels on the front legs and six wheels on the main legs (via three bogies) - that's the estimated weight of the large aircraft.

Powered by 4 General Electric GE4/J5P afterburner turbojets, each producing 63,200 lbs of thrust. That would give a cruise speed of 1,800 mph, a range of up to 4,250 miles, and a service cap of 73,000 feet.

Inside, the 2707 model was designed to feature an advanced "glass" cockpit, while "steam" gauges dominated the dashboard at the time. The operations team consists of at least three people.

Despite advances in aviation technology, the era of "supersonic aircraft" never reached the level originally envisaged, so both the Concorde and the Tu-144 were produced in limited numbers (20 and 16 respectively), and Operationally restricted number usage. Trying to get passengers to their destination in a short period of time proved to have too many problems: operating noise, shock wave issues, excessive fuel consumption (a common failure of early turbojet engines) and limited passenger seating/cargo capacity in the confined space of the aircraft and Narrow body design.

So in the decades that followed, airlines eventually abandoned the concept of supersonic passenger flight, only recently revisiting the issue with several upcoming designs, details on this website.

Boeing has successfully completed a single version of its 2707.