Evaluation of feasibility of commercial supersonic flight based on aeroacoustics

Abstract

The drive to attain ever higher speeds, to be able to travel ever faster fuels the research and development for a commercial supersonic aircraft. This has previously led to the Concorde which travelled at more than twice the speed of sound. Now, in addition to business considerations about economic viability, supersonic aircraft must be quieter and emit less emissions. Considering the 20 years that have elapsed since Concordes retirement, this study aims to reevaluate the current challenges and limitations to achieving commercial supersonic flight again, in the context of noise. Identifying sonic booms and jet exhaust noise as two main challenges, it reviews current shape optimization methods, plasma as a sonic boom mitigator, sonic boom circumvention, chevron nozzles, variable cycle engines, engine positioning, and their corresponding limitations. Some of the methods have been refined for use and application in final stage design and manufacture of certain supersonic aircraft which indicates a certain feasibility.