Last year a new, personal business jet was announced to the public: the Javelin.
It looks like a jet fighter and flies like one too, at .925 Mach. It holds two people and is certified for aerobatic maneuvers. Plus, it will only set you back a measly $2.8 million. Here’s the latest skinny on its deployment.
If that’s not fast enough for you, how does flying at 1.6 Mach? What about Mach 1.8? Wired News has a write-up of two vehicles currently undergoing engineering tests, with deployment expected at the beginning of next decade.
Lockheed Martin’s QSST holds 12 people and is capable of flying over 4,600 miles non-stop, at speeds around Mach 1.8. Development costs alone are projected to reach more than $2.5 billion and it remains unclear what the individual pricing will be (they plan to have a dual-use with the military).
On the other hand, if you’re willing to sacrifice 10% in speed, you can pick up Aerion’s SSBJ for a paltry $80 million. It is also designed to carry 12 people.
If neither one of these are your cup of tea, then perhaps you might be interested in the Sport-Jet. This all-fiber glass design will set you back $1 million dollars; it holds 4 people and cruises at 340 knots.
Popular Science has an overview of three other personal jets currently being developed for the budget-minded.
The first is the Eclipse 500, which seats six, cruises at 432 mph and costs about $1.5 million a pop. This past spring it went into production.
The Citation Mustang is built by industry veteran Cessna. It first flew over a year ago, seats six, has a range of 1,500 miles and costs $2.4 million.
Last but not least is the Diamond D-Jet. This five-seater made its world debut last month, cruises at around 360 mph, and costs $1.4 million