Fun though willy-waving is, it's even more fun to work out what sort of future aircraft design would actually sell. No point in making Concordes when everyone's hauling around in 737s.
So what's it going to be? Manned FJ development seems faintly pointless; it's not as if there's a plausible threat that demands this generation, let alone the next. Transports - haven't we got that covered? A-10: yes please, but why not just buy A-10s? (never understood why we don't). Civil aviation is all about incremental improvements - nobody's got the stomach for HOTOL - and the cost of entry at almost any level is unthinkable.
The near future is automation, economy, environmentalism, flexibility... and dull. (When automation gets stuck in, some really exciting things will happen, but it won't be for a while.)
Might as well enjoy the Youtube clips. Won't be long before it's all as quaint as cavalry.
R
(and yes, of course I think there was every point in making Concorde. At least as much as building cathedrals. But it's nothing to base an industry on)