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The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is engaged in a Supersonic Cruise Airplane Research (SCAR) Program to study and experimentally evaluate advanced technology that is applicable to future supersonic transports. ...The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is engaged in a Supersonic Cruise Airplane Research (SCAR) Program to study and experimentally evaluate advanced technology that is applicable to future supersonic transports. A broad spectrum of advanced engine concepts including Variable Cycle Engines (VCEs) has been evaluated by Pratt & Whitney Aircraft (P&WA) in conjunction with the SCAR Program. ...It has the potential to significantly reduce jet noise and to improve airplane performance relative to first-generation supersonic transport (SST) engines. Future propulsion programs that are required for the United States to reach a competitive position in the advanced supersonic commercial airplane market are also reviewed.

This paper discusses some critical control problems in supersonic aircraft and attempts to place flight control systems design in proper perspective. A review of past concepts and problem is followed by a discussion of performance requirements, a description of the control problem, some design concepts, typical mechanization to provide problem solutions, a review of the state-of-the-art, and finally some conclusions delineating the vital role of flight control in supersonic vehicle design. ...A review of past concepts and problem is followed by a discussion of performance requirements, a description of the control problem, some design concepts, typical mechanization to provide problem solutions, a review of the state-of-the-art, and finally some conclusions delineating the vital role of flight control in supersonic vehicle design.

NASA has proposed a program that would lead to a M=2.7, 5500 n. mile, 250-passenger Advanced Supersonic Transport (AST) around the year 2000. This paper briefly reflects on the Concorde experience over the last ten years, and reviews the arguments for and against future supersonic transports. ...This paper briefly reflects on the Concorde experience over the last ten years, and reviews the arguments for and against future supersonic transports.

This paper discusses the principal technical problems arising from safety performance requirements for a supersonic transport and proposes the broad method for solving them. Interdependence of such requirements with human and hardware engineering and aerodynamic characteristics is emphasized. ...It is concluded that a standard operational performance code for both subsonic and supersonic transports is desirable and that a method of determining airworthiness performance requirements for a given type, though the detail requirements may differ between types, should be adopted.

The aim of this work is to present the preliminary configuration design studies for an unmanned, lightweight (less than 15 kg), supersonic research aircraft. The studies comprise the aircraft typical mission, the aerodynamic and structural arrangement, preliminary performance, as well as mass distribution. ...It is intended to be the flying test bed for a multicycle engine capable to provide thrust in subsonic, transonic and supersonic regimes. In order to provide validation of the analysis tools, flight performance characteristics of a known, high speed aircraft - North American X-15 - have been also evaluated and compared with the available flight test data. ...And the features associated with the configuration obtained are good indications of the technical feasibility of this supersonic UAV.

Significant improvements in the performance of a supersonic transport can be obtained if the automatic flight control system is given the task of improving the handling qualities of the basic aircraft and augmenting the damping of the flexible airframe. ...The handling qualities of current transports are reviewed with special emphasis being placed on modifications that result from consideration of the dynamic characteristics of a supersonic transport. It is proposed that the resulting summaries be considered when establishing design specifications for future supersonic transport automatic flight control systems. ...It is proposed that the resulting summaries be considered when establishing design specifications for future supersonic transport automatic flight control systems.

The aim of this work is to present the preliminary performance studies of the unmanned, lightweight (less than 10 kg), supersonic research aircraft. The studies comprise the typical mission for the aircraft's first supersonic version, based on the aerodynamic, thrust, and mass characteristics presented in a previous work. ...The studies comprise the typical mission for the aircraft's first supersonic version, based on the aerodynamic, thrust, and mass characteristics presented in a previous work. ...The aircraft, named as “Pohox”, is an Unmanned Air Vehicle, or “UAV”, and is intended to be the flying test bed for a multi cycle engine capable to provide thrust in subsonic, transonic and supersonic regimes. Different tools have been developed to perform the analysis. In the analysis, different flight paths are considered in order to provide insights in terms of fuel consumption, altitude and speed gain.

This paper is a survey of the general requirements for the performance and control of supersonic inlets for turbojet or turbofan propulsion systems for the supersonic transport. The first half of the paper discusses the interaction between inlet and engine performance.

A model scaled test apparatus has been designed and assembled to simulate supersonic plume/aircraft structure Interaction for the cruise configuration. Preliminary results have been obtained to demonstrate the severity of the associated acoustic fatigue loads. ...Two rectangular supersonic nozzles with aspect ratios of 7 and 7.7 ware fabricated with internal convergent-divergent contours designed for Mach numbers of 1.35 and 2.00. ...Phase averaged schliern measurements revealed the presence of high intensity acoustic emission from the supersonic plume above the plate and directed upstream. This radiation can be associated with the shock noise generation mechanism.

The general problem of applying propulsion systems to supersonic aircraft is discussed briefly and it is shown that neither turbojets nor ramjets are entirely satisfactory when used by themselves. ...A satisfactory solution does result when the powerplants are combined; high supersonic performance then can be achieved without sacrifice of subsonic capability. In order to avoid the confusion resulting from the comparison of propulsion system performance using the special parameters associated with each type of engine, performance is compared along operating altitude-Mach number paths in terms of thrust and specific fuel consumption only.

Variable Cycle Engines being studied for advanced commercial supersonic transports show potential for significant environmental and economic improvements relative to 1st generation SST engines. ...Unique fuel control techniques are combined with cycle characteristics that provide low fuel consumption, similar to a turbojet engine, for supersonic operation. This is accomplished while retaining the good subsonic performance features of a turbofan engine. ...In total, these unique engine concepts have the potential for significant overall improvements to the environmental and economic characteristics of advanced supersonic transports.

., (CRC) for the FAA to establish the suitability of fuels for use in the commercial supersonic transport. Based on a detailed review of possible fuel problem areas, a concentrated research program in the field of thermal stability, along with a study of anticipated fuel system environmental conditions, has been developed to obtain the technical information required by the airframe, engine, and petroleum industries in their efforts to develop fuels and equipment for a supersonic transport. ...Based on a detailed review of possible fuel problem areas, a concentrated research program in the field of thermal stability, along with a study of anticipated fuel system environmental conditions, has been developed to obtain the technical information required by the airframe, engine, and petroleum industries in their efforts to develop fuels and equipment for a supersonic transport. The objectives, approaches being followed, and results obtained to date from this program are described.

The Phase III program for development of the U.S. Supersonic Transport was initiated on January 1, 1967. This program includes design and flight qualification of the engine, and 100 hours of flight test in two prototype aircraft. ...A general description is provided of the engine, its performance, and the design features to meet the requirements of the commercial Supersonic Transport. Technology advancements in component design, materials and joining techniques are described as they relate to the development program.

This paper presents an assessment of the current technology for an Advanced Supersonic Transport designed to expand the service now provided by the Concorde. The assessment includes an examination of the improvements in the areas of aerodynamics, materials, structures, acoustics, propulsion, and economics. ...The question is not whether but when all these technology developments can be put together to produce an economically viable and environmentally acceptable Advanced Supersonic Transport. For example, a new Douglas baseline design with 350 passengers is defined to show range, fuel efficiency, and productivity gains.

SOME of the aerodynamic and mechanical problems of jet engines designed for supersonic flight speeds are discussed in this paper. The aerodynamic problems considered include the required range of operation of the compressor, the thermal efficiency of the cycle, the inlet-engine airflow match, and jet nozzle design.

The problem of providing meterological support in planning take-off and climb to altitude by supersonic transports has been partially solved by experience gained with jet aircraft, although this applies more specifically to descent, approach, and landing.

This paper is a review of a Naval Air Systems Command program for exploratory development of a low-cost supersonic turbine engine. Design constraints, performance requirements, estimated engine costs, and latest program results are presented.

Hydrocarbon fuels capable of meeting high performance standards in advanced supersonic propulsion systems can be produced in substantial volume at reasonable cost from petroleum streams by hydrogenating aromatic concentrates or processing certain cuts from selected crudes.

The paper outlines a general philosophy for locating and equipping the major crew member stations in supersonic transport aircraft, and also highlights some important comfort items that reflect poor design in current jet aircraft.

Commercial airlines in the supersonic age must decrease total operating cost if they are to survive. The most obvious way in which saving can be realized is in lower consumption of an economically priced fuel.