CEV Vs SpaceShipTwo

Image:CEV (1 of many proposals), SpaceShipTwo (actual design still unreleased)

NASA is supposed to award work for the next generation shuttle craft, dubbed Crew Exploration vehicle, or CEV, this September, to two contractors. Proposals came streaming in this week; Lockheed Martin released details of their proposal to Space.com. At least it's shaped more like a shuttle than a capsule. It also employs a titanium shell which will theoretically protect the crew if there is a burn-through of the two heat-protective layers and will be designed with future Moon and Mars missions in mind. That's a good thing too.
But it's still a far cry from SpaceShipOne, which uses an innovative and groundbreaking de-orbit technique, called "carefree re-entry." Also, if the Lockheed Martin plan is chosen, basic engine-less glides won't take place until 2008, and the craft itself won't be ready for flight until at least 2012.
I think SpaceShipTwo could be flying long before that. Assuming the U.S. government allows the project to go forward. I mean, England is still a friendly nation right?