ICM 1/144 Tupolev-144 Soviet Supersonic Passenger Aircraft 14401Soviet Supersonic Passenger Aircraft The worlds first supersonic passenger aircraft became a Tu 144. It was designed by A. N. Tupolev Design Bureau. The maiden flight of the prototype was in December 31, 1968 (two month earlier than British French Concorde). The serial production began in 1971. All in all 9 Tu 144 aircraft with NK 144A engines were built up to 1977. They could to transport 150 passengers in up to 4150 km range. The cruiser speed was