(CNN) — There could be a supersonic Air Force One prototype airplane as early as 2025, with the US Air Force getting busy awarding development contracts. It was announced last week that Exosonic has been issued a contract to develop supersonic executive transport that could be used as Air Force One. A US Air Force One supersonic prototype could be rolled out by 2025, reports Military.comHermeus successfully tested a Mach 5 engine prototype in February 2020. Hypersonic travel is generally regarded as reaching speeds of Mach 5 or above, or five times the speed of sound. "We built a Mach 5 engine prototype in only nine months and for less than two million dollars."

Source: CNN September 07, 2020 12:22 UTC