Russia and UAE team-up to build supersonic passenger aircraft

Russia's Minister of Industry and Trade has announced that the United Aircraft Corporation is to establish a joint-venture with United Arab Emirates' state-owned investment company Mubadala to design and build a supersonic passenger aircraft.

Previously, UAC has worked on building a passenger-version of its Tupolev Tu-160 bomber, but has now shelved this idea in favour of a new design. According to the minister the initial design will be presented at the end of this year or early next year. Some of the design targets are, however, already known. The new jet should be available in two versions, an eight seat VIP-lay out and a 30-seat passenger version and fly as fast as 1.8 Mach.

Photo by UAC/Tupolev.