"We considered over 30 designs and believe that the QSST is the only design that meets all the desired requirements including range, take-off and landing field length, take-off noise, emissions and sufficiently low sonic boom characteristics to enable supersonic flight over land, " he told CNN.

CNN: Bang goes the sonic boom

It took the gloss off a superb start by Quins, who led after just three minutes when debutant Chris Bailey released Gale with a superb pass and the stand-off raced half the length of the field to touch down.

BBC: Catalan Dragons 4-11 Harlequins RL

The All Blacks took an early 10-3 lead when lock Isaac Ross finished off a sweeping length-of-the-field move.

BBC: South Africa 31-19 New Zealand

Josh Griffin gathered Herbert's kick before sprinting the length of the field and laying the ball off to George for a deserved Wildcats score in the 65th minute.

BBC: Bradford 40-18 Wakefield

Mortlock and Turner were both denied further tries before the Baa-Baas got off the mark with the last move of the half, a length-of-the-field effort finished by Balshaw in the left corner.

BBC: Lewsey & Corry bow out in defeat