Boeing debuts first passenger-carrying hypersonic vehicle concept. Credit: Boeing.

Boeing has debuted its first passenger-carrying hypersonic vehicle concept, which could be used for both military and commercial applications.

Theoretically, the hypersonic passenger jet could fly as fast as 5mach, or just under 3,900 miles in an hour. This would mean it would take around three hours to complete a flight between Los Angeles and Tokyo, a flight that currently takes 11 hours.

Similarly, flights between New York and London could be reduced from  seven hours to two.

The company has not given details on the cost of production or a timeframe for the commercial launch of the plane.

“Boeing is building upon a foundation of six decades of work designing, developing and flying experimental hypersonic vehicles.”

According to Boeing hypersonics senior technical fellow and chief scientist Kevin Bowcutt, it might take 20 to 30 years for a hypersonic passenger vehicle to make its first flight.

Bowcutt said: “Boeing is building upon a foundation of six decades of work designing, developing and flying experimental hypersonic vehicles, which makes us the right company to lead the effort in bringing this technology to market in the future.”

In a separate development, Boeing’s HorizonX Ventures has invested in US-based startup Matternet,which is involved in the development of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) delivery operations in urban environments.

Matternet’s advanced logistics platform will benefit from Boeing’s expertise in complex logistics, integration and manufacturing capabilities and further promote reliable, efficient cargo air transportation.