Design Methods for Minimization of Sonic-Boom Pressure-Field Disturbances

Abstract

This paper reviews, through detailed consideration of airplane configuration, theoretically based techniques for minimization of sonic-boom pressure-field energy and overpressure. The discussion includes consideration of the recently discovered potential for overpressure minimization for large slender airplanes with extended nearfield characteristics. Use of the latter method is illustrated with correlations of theory and wind-tunnel measurements.