Technology roadmaps for the development of future high-speed transportation systems

This paper describes the upgrade and application of Technology Roadmapping Strategy (TRIS) methodology to propose an incremental path (i.e., a technology roadmap) towards the increase of Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of STRATOFLY key-enabling technologies to meet the project’s goal (TRL 6 in 2035). The paper discusses several improvements introduced within the roadmapping methodology in order to deal with future high-speed transportation systems. In particular, basing on Space Shuttle cost data, a general framework to assess the cost of TRL Transits for hypersonic technologies is proposed. In addition, a detailed analysis of future activities to be performed to pursue hypersonic technologies is included, with special emphasis on the importance of highly-integrated flight demonstrators at high TRL level in relation to involved stakeholders’ impact and needs.