adminSUPERSONIC AIRCRAFT
A supersonic aircraft flies at speeds greater or beyond the speed of sound which is approximately estimated to be 768mph (1,236km/hr.) at sea level.
Though supersonic aircraft are subjected to the same aerodynamic forces as subsonic aircrafts, including lift, drag and thrust, the forces are more intense at supersonic speeds. This extreme exacting force creates a plethora of problems for the aircraft, aviation and the environment.
Flying through the sound barrier creates shock wave that induces resonant vibration on the aircraft. So supersonic aircrafts are designed to withstand or minimizes these forces or the impact of the shock waves or resonant vibrations. Supersonic aircrafts are also designed to follow the area rule, which states that the cross-sectional area of an aircraft should decrease as the speed increases in other to reduce drag. Supersonic aircraft wings are designed to produce lift at high speed, hence their wings swept back or delta shaped or has a curved upper surface. The main draw back in the design of supersonic aircraft is they need high capacity jet engines to power them at takeoff and during flight to be able to overcome the drag on it and generate lift. Supersonic flight poses a big challenge to aviation, since supersonic aircrafts require a longer runaway to take off than subsonic ones. So only specially designed and designated airports can receive or launch these classes of aircraft.
Supersonic aircrafts are characterized in their design by the following wing types; delta wing, swept wing and variable geometry wing design.
Delta wing design features a triangular wing shape which provides stability and control at high speeds. Examples include the Concorde and Eurofighter typhoon.
Swept wing design features wings that are angled backwards, reducing drag and increasing stability at high speeds. Examples include the F-22 Raptor and the XB-70 Valkyrie.
Variable geometry wing design features wings that can change their angle and shape during flight, allowing for optimal performance in both subsonic and supersonic regimes. Examples include the F-14 Tomcat and the Tornado IDS.
The advantages of supersonic aircraft; supersonic aircraft can travel at speeds much faster than subsonic aircraft thereby reducing travel time and increasing efficiency. Supersonic aircrafts have a high degree of maneuverability making them ideal for military applications and other strategic purposes involving rapid deployment and response.
The disadvantages of supersonic aircrafts are; supersonic aircraft flights requires significant amount of energy and by implication fuel, high expense regarding the initial procurement cost of the aircraft, spares and maintenance cost during its operational life. Supersonic aircrafts because of their long run take off requirements cannot take off and land except for few designated airports that meet their requirements. Also because of the sonic boom they produce that can destroy infrastructures on land and cause nuisance to both human and animal life and are restricted by law from flying at supersonic speed over land. Supersonic aircrafts generates high temperatures on the aircraft which can cause damage to the aircraft structure and components.
Supersonic aircrafts in their applications are mainly used for military operations, research and restrictedly for civilian commercial flights.
The future of supersonic aircraft depends on the trends and development of the following technologies; advanced materials and designs in the reduction of all operational cost, reduction or elimination sonic booms and temperatures generated and improvement of its lift and fight capabilities such that they can land and take off from most airports.
SOURCES:
- Aerodynamics for engineers by John J. Bertin and Russell M. Cummmings.
- Aircraft Design: A conceptual approach by Daniel P. Raymer.
- Supersonic aircraft: Design and performance by Giuseppe Pezzella.
- Supersonic flight: Breaking the sound barrier and beyond by Brian Shul.
- Fast Jets: The story of the fastest military aircrafts by Nigel Price.
