Originally Posted by
G0ULI
Titanium is a prerequisite for constructing hypersonic vehicles. Given that Russia and China have the majority share of world Titanium production, exactly where will the US be sourcing its' supplies? The current tariff disputes are hardly going to work to the benefit of Boeing, or any other US manufacturer. One is left with the impression that while Boeing or Lockheed may come up with the plans, the next supersonic or hypersonic passenger aircraft is going to come out of China. The Chinese are inclined to take a much longer view with regards to returns on investment and development costs, especially if it comes to establishing world dominance in a specialist field.
This aircraft will undoubtably be built someday, but it won't be in the US.
There are substantial titanium reserves in many currently friendly countries including thos with advanced mining infrastructure such as Australia and South Africa to name but two,