All Sonic, No Boom (Quiet Supersonic Transport)

Popular Science ^ | Eric Hagerman

[TigerLikesRooster]

Kris Holland The QSST's swept wings, forward canards and tail all generate lift, eliminating the need for a larger main wing that would produce sharper pressure spikes

Courtesy SAI Form will definitely follow function with the QSST, creating a striking shape for the ultra-fast cruiser.

Kris Holland Sonic booms happen when pressure builds up too fast around wings and engines. In a conventional boom, the pressure migrates forward and backward. That movement generates two pressure spikes at the front and rear, creating a classic N-shaped-wave [1], and the result is a loud double bang.

Kris Holland To soften the boom, QSST aerodynamicists sought to spread out the pressure points along the fuselage. The new aircraft [above] generates only moderate shocks at the nose [2] and tail [3] with no spike in the middle. The stretched nose creates a small but distinct pressure spike at the front, as does the rear engine placement. These two small spikes counter the tendency of the wave to travel forward and backward. By the time the sound reaches the ground [4], the N-wave has diffused into a barely audible poof.

Courtesy SAI Careful aerodynamic shaping stretches the pressure wave that causes sonic booms along the length of the aircraft, effectively converting the loud double bang into a more muffled poof.

[TigerLikesRooster]

QSST Ping!

Nick Kaloterakis

Sophisticated aerodynamic shaping muffles eardrum-blistering sonic booms, permitting the QSST to fly over land at supersonic speed.

[figgers3036]

Really interesting! I guess some of how they'd do this is making sure the wings are swept back at a precise angle, too. I'm learning about this, but I'd love to learn more about how this works.

[Terriergal]

effectively converting the loud double bang into a more muffled poof.

POOF!? But that sounds so... effeminate!

:-)

Anyone wanna take bets as to how long until one of these gets on Benny HInn or Joel Osteen (or some other charlatan preacher)'s shopping/asset list?

[Moonman62]

The technology better work extremely well, because it's quite ugly.

[GSlob]

well, those flying on the "POOF" aircraft will be dubbed poofters.

[Sundog]

As opposed to beautiful technology...

[Moonman62]

I like the cute ears.

[glorgau]

Instead of the usual six hours, it will be a 1,100mph, two-hour hop.

It's all a plot to keep from serving meals on all domestic flights.

[null and void]

I clearly deserve to have one of these...

[Proud_USA_Republican]

I'm sure Al Gore has one on order.

But its ok because he will be able to get to more carbon offsets selling seminars per day thus claming his carbon footprint is smaller.....or whatever..........

[RayChuang88]

I think the interest in the QSST comes from companies selling fractional share ownership of executive jets such as NetJets. Such a company could own as many as 80-90 QSST's for corporate travel between Europe and the US East Coast--and unlike the Concorde, the QSST will offer longer range and the ability to operate out airports with tighter noise restrictions.

[Porterville]

it is good that we are better than the french at everything... wine, cheese, supersonic aircraft...

[tanuki]

I would love to see this fly out of Mineta International.

[null and void]

I would love to not call it Mineta.

[perfect stranger]

AF bump

[hattend]

bttt

[tanuki]

Yeah, me neither. Love your tagline.

[WestVirginiaRebel]

I want one for Christmas!

There could also be military applications in the design for rapid troop deployment, as well.

[TXnMA]

Ugliness -- like beauty -- is in the eye of the beholder. I like its looks...