Tech mogul unveils latest supersonic transport concept

South African entrepreneur and mobile app company co-founder Priven Reddy has launched Dover, Delaware-based Leading Edge Aviation Propulsion (Leap) Aerospace to develop a new-generation supersonic transport.

The company’s LEAP EON-01 design has a twin-tailed, delta-wing configuration with at least four engines – in a layout reminiscent of the Anglo-French Concorde – and capacity for 65 to 88 passengers.

“We aim to develop a next-generation aircraft that will illustrate a net-zero emission of carbon and to rely on 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF),” according to the company’s website. “Leap Aerospace is dedicated to innovating reliable, affordable, safer, and sustainable air travels solutions [and] will contain the issues of pollution, services accessibility, urban designs improving air mobility, and transportation. The vision of the organization is attainable with the help of numerous stakeholders.”

Leap Aerospace is starting on a self-funded basis. Leap Aerospace Founder Reddy, 37, has an estimated net worth of $55 billion.

According to Reddy, the aircraft will use “a hybrid system of traditional and novel components” that will aim to mute the sonic boom on technical grounds. Leap’s aircraft design is said to embrace aerodynamics in a vastly more efficient manner for minimizing shock waves, reducing drag, and increasing efficiency.

The 205ft-long aircraft is to function at speeds up to Mach 1.9, fly at an altitude of 60,000ft, and be up to 100x quieter than a helicopter. The low noise is generated with the help of small propellers for landing and takeoff.

The airplane will offer non-stop flights from New York to London in under 3 hours, and from Johannesburg to Beijing in about 3.5 hours.

Reddy adds the aircraft will feature a safe-landing mechanism, which in the event of a complete engine failure or malfunction, will allow the aircraft to safely land on ground or ocean, minimizing fatalities.

The team working on the design of Leap Aerospace is directed to launch an aviation solution that will be useful for air surveillance, air logistics, tourism, emergency air operations, and business travel.

The company plans to pre-sell its aircraft to cargo and transportation organizations – but not to private operators – by early 2022. Leap’s vision is to manufacture models for 70 or more passengers in its 2.0 aircraft series.

Leap is directed to minimize the complications of aircraft manufacturing. The aircraft design is complete, and now the goal is to generate a prototype and complete its certifications and accreditation by the European and the U.S. aviation organizations. It’s expected the certification will be completed approximately 3 years after establishment of a flying prototype.

Leap officials say their aircraft will be ready for a commercially sustainable supersonic flight service having the potential to carry 86 passengers in late 2029.