I guess you are right there is no way the US could have built a SST we just don't have the technical know-how to do something like that.
Perhaps we didn’t need the boost in our national image (read pride) to continue with something that has no real market (read profits). But what do I know.
If anyone really thinks the US could not have built one, well there is no sense arguing with you, as you really are an idiot. Nothing personal here just a fact. (deference given to any real clinical idiots)
The beauty of capitalism is when profits are available then the motive for the research is a given and money is spent to realize that goal, look at this countrie's medical achievements. Most (over 72% see note) of the new discoveries in drugs are from the US, this is because companies are willing to spent millions on research hoping the new discoveries will meet the trials and approvals and someday return a profit. (Point: most drugs never reach the market and the costs are made up on the ones that do)
(note: PHARMA and ADA statistic’s from 2002 as well as US FDA statistic’s from 2001 averaged)
From what I understand the Concorde has never made a dime in profit, ever (if this is incorrect and if the airlines are making money with them please correct me). Considering the government in total paid for its development, so this cost was never born by its customers, this program would not be considered a success by any measure except as a source of national pride.
Nothing wrong with doing something just to say you did it and have no real cost benefits except for national pride, The US did that with the Apollo program, so we went to the moon, and you made a fast jet, we are even, sort of. Of course if we spent what we did on the moon program on fast jets most Americans would have them in their garages.
Given the financial condition our airlines are in today I for one am very glad we have no SST’s, but I am sorry to see them go.
Oh and as for the copying thing, I believe the mission requirements dictate the design more then anything, what, would you want the Russian STS to look like the Starship Enterprise? Human technology still has to agree with the laws of physics, and this requirement is why the physical similarity exists more then anything else. IMHO