Abstract:
A system for controlling a magnitude of a sonic boom caused by off-design operation of a supersonic aircraft includes a sensor configured to detect a condition of the supersonic aircraft. The system further includes a control surface that is mounted to a wing of the supersonic aircraft. The system still further includes a processor communicatively coupled to the sensor and operatively coupled with the control surface. The processor is configured to (1) receive information from the sensor indicative of the condition of the supersonic aircraft, (2) determine that there is a deviation between a lift distribution and a design-condition lift distribution based on the information, and (3) control the control surface to move in a manner that reduces the deviation. The magnitude of the sonic boom is reduced when the deviation is reduced.
Abstract:
Methods and systems for controlling a magnitude of a sonic boom caused by off-design-condition operation of a supersonic aircraft at supersonic speeds are disclosed herein. The method includes, but is not limited to, monitoring, with a processor, a weight of the supersonic aircraft and a distribution of fuel onboard the supersonic aircraft. The method further includes, but is not limited to, determining, with the processor, that there is a deviation of the weight of the supersonic aircraft from a design-condition weight. The method still further includes, but is not limited to, controlling, with the processor, a redistribution of the fuel onboard the supersonic aircraft to adjust an amount of fuel stored within a wing to minimize a twist in the wing caused by the deviation. Such redistribution will reduce the magnitude of the sonic boom caused by the deviation.
Abstract:
A method of controlling a magnitude of a sonic boom caused by off-design condition operation of a supersonic aircraft at supersonic speeds includes, but is not limited to the step of operating the supersonic aircraft at supersonic speeds and at an off-design condition. The supersonic aircraft has a pair of swept wings having a plurality of composite plies oriented at an angle such that an axis of greatest stiffness is non-parallel with respect to a rear spar of each wing of the pair of swept wings. The method further includes, but is not limited to the step of reducing wing twist caused by operation of the supersonic aircraft at supersonic speeds at the off-design condition with the composite plies. The method still further includes, but is not limited to, minimizing the magnitude of the sonic boom through reduction of wing twist.