A study to determine the feasibility of a low sonic boom supersonic transport

A study was made to determine the feasibility of supersonic transport configurations designed to produce a goal sonic boom signature with low overpressure. The results indicate that, in principle, such a concept represents a potentially realistic design approach assuming technology of the 1985 time period. Two sonic boom goals were selected which included: (1) A high speed design that would produce shock waves no stronger than 48 Newtons per square meter (1.0 psf); and an intermediate Mach number (mid-Mach) design that would produce shock waves no stronger than 24 Newtons per square meter. The high speed airplane design was a Mach 2.7 blended arrow wing configuration which was capable of carrying 183 passengers a distance of 7000 km (3780 nmi) while meeting the signature goal. The mid-Mach airplane designed was a Mach 1.5 low arrow wing configuration with a horizontal tail which could carry 180 passengers a distance of 5960 km (3220 nmi).