As we have moved into the New Year, we have entered in a year where scientists and engineers are more determined to make their dream come true by creating the world’s fastest airplane. Currently the biggest problems being faced by the engineers and scientists is to keep the integrity of the plane intact once it reaches abnormal speed. The different types of bodies built for the planes have yet not been able to maintain their tightness once they reach their top speeds and as the tiniest hole are created in the body, the entire plane is blown to smithereens and the test fails.

Some unmanned planes have been tested and as they have managed to break the sound barrier, the body became too hot with the air pressure and friction resulting in it to break or blow up. When the model is in the test labs, there isn’t enough air pressure and friction built up which could really give out the results of a real time flight. But the tests aren’t too far from reality and there are possible chances that the body does manage to expand and build a hole or loosen its tightness.

Even if there is a hole created or not, it is only found out by the checking of tightness of hatch with ultrasound, the popular test method used in the shipping industry to find out hidden holes small, minute or even big in hatch covers. The test model is tested for the holes and if they are found anywhere in the body, the answer is obvious, it is a failure and what body couldn’t survive the test of a lab wouldn’t be able to reach top speed before blowing up like a balloon pricked with a needle.

As the search for a more flexible and unbreakable outer body for supersonic airplanes is still underway, dozens of alloys have been rejected in the experiments as they failed to provide the desired results. The project to bring out the world’s first reliable and workable supersonic jet has become a matter of pride among the countries. There are several projects underway in the United States only and the other countries are also vying to get the spot for creating the world’s first supersonic jet.

Until and unless the prototype passes the lab test and then the leaks and damage test also termed as the hatch cover ultrasonic tightness testing for the marine industry, it is not sent for a real flight test. But unfortunately hundreds of designs have been rejected and so have been the different alloys used for building the prototype’s body. But we can be sure that in future we will see a supersonic jet in function and maybe our children on their children will get a chance to travel the world in it within minutes.