Technology Readiness and Development Risks of the New Supersonic Transport
Publication: Journal of Aerospace Engineering
Volume 11, Issue 3
Abstract
Realistic specifications for the new supersonic transport call for a 2.2 Mach, 270 passenger, 5,500 NM range aircraft, requiring $15–20 billion for research and development. Nonlinear aerodynamic analysis methods promise an enhanced lift-to-drag ratio of about 45% in subsonic cruise and 25% in supersonic cruise. Adequate sonic-boom suppression does not appear feasible. The resized increment in weight reduction due to the elimination of the droop nose is estimated at 4,500 kg. Considerable progress has been made in meeting FAR-36/Stage-3 noise requirements through the use of a mixed-flow turbofan with ejector or a mid-tandem fan variable cycle engine. A 5–15% lower specific fuel consumption is projected, while the dominant combustion philosophies are the lean-premixed-prevaporized and the rich-burn/quick-quench/lean-burn processes. Research is aimed at a nitrogen oxide emission index of 5, resulting in less than 1% annual ozone depletion. The estimated market needs of about 550 units by 2020 justify a satisfactory return on investment (∼12%) for only one manufacturer. A well-structured international consortium could reduce development risks, time, and expenditures through technology transfer and the sharing minimization of nonrecurring costs. The date of entry into service can be placed between 2010 and 2015.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
References
1.
Air International. (1995). “Supersonic sons and daughters.” June, 331–335.
2.
Archer, D. R., and Saarlas, M. (1996). An introduction to aerospace propulsion. Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, N.J. 509–514.
3.
Armand, C., Fournier, G., Pacull, M., and Green, P. (1994). “European second generation SCT.”Proc., 7th Euro. Aerospace Conf.: The Supersonic Transport of Second Generation, Toulouse, France.
4.
Barbaux, Y. (1994). “Materials challenge.”Proc., 7th Euro. Aerospace Conf.: The Supersonic Transport of Second Generation, Toulouse, France.
5.
Boeing Commercial Airplanes. (1989). “High-speed civil transport study.”NASA-CR-4233, Seattle, Wash.
6.
Boeing Commercial Airplanes. (1995). Current market outlook: 1995. Seattle, Wash.
7.
Bunin, B. L., Gray, I., Khaski, E., Olszewski, M. W., and Schmitt, D. (1994). “Supersonic transport program: The case for global collaboration.”Proc., 7th Euro. Aerospace Conf.: The Supersonic Transport of Second Generation, Toulouse, France.
8.
Collard, D. (1990). “Future supersonic transport studies at Aerospatiale.”SAE Paper 901890.
9.
Darden, C., Olson, E., and Shields, E. W. (1993). “Elements of NASA's high-speed research program.”AIAA 93-2942, Am. Inst. of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Reston, Va.
10.
Dennis, C. B. (1997). “Defining value in a dynamic marketplace: The Boeing 747-X. A case study.”Proc., Financial Times Aerospace and Commercial Aviation Conf., Paris, France.
11.
Donoghue, J. A. (1997). “Airbus: Alone at the top.”Air Transport World. April, 38.
12.
Douglas Aircraft Company. (1989). “Study of high-speed civil transports.”NASA-CR-4235.
13.
Douglas Aircraft Company. (1990). “1990 High-Speed Civil Transport Studies.”NASA-CR-189619.
14.
Doyle, A. (1996). “Getting back to business.”Flight Int., 18–24 Sept., 36.
15.
Doyle, A. (1996). “Twenty years young.”Flight Int., 7–13 Feb., 42–43.
16.
Ermanni, P. (1994). “Assessment for a future SCT with regard to structures and materials.”Proc., 7th Euro. Aerospace Conf.: The Supersonic Transport of Second Generation, Toulouse, France.
17.
Fischer, B. (1994). “From feasibility to economic viability of a next generation SCT.”Proc., 7th Euro. Aerospace Conf.: The Supersonic Transport of Second Generation, Toulouse, France.
18.
Goldin, D. S. (1993). “It's time to go supersonic.”Air & Space, June/July, 54–55.
19.
Habrard, A. (1989). “The variable-cycle engine: A solution to the economical and environmental challenge of the future supersonic transport.”Proc., Euro. Symp. on the Future of High Speed Air Transport, Toulouse, France.
20.
Hayes, P. (1997). “International beat.”Aerospace America, Nov., 4–5.
21.
Hirokawa, J., and Sekido, T. (1994). “Technologies required for next generation HSCT propulsion systems.”Proc., 7th Euro. Aerospace Conf.: The Supersonic Transport of Second Generation, Toulouse, France.
22.
Hodder, S. D. (1994). “A comparison of possible power plants for second generation SST.”Proc., 7th Euro. Aerospace Conf.: The Supersonic Transport of Second Generation, Toulouse, France.
23.
Iwaki, T., and Kihara, T. (1994). “Social impacts of the SST operation on the 21st Century.”Proc., 7th Euro. Aerospace Conf.: The Supersonic Transport of Second Generation, Toulouse, France.
24.
Kandebo, S. (1997). “Engine team on track to meet HSCT emissions goals.”Aviation Week & Space Technol., 13 Oct., 74.
25.
Kandebo, S. (1997). “HSCT engine materials moving forward.”Aviation Week & Space Technol., 13 Oct., 72–73.
26.
Kandebo, S. (1997). “Redefined propulsion tests target HSCT scale-up issues.”Aviation Week & Space Technol., 13 Oct., 70–73.
27.
Loomis, J. P., and Bestgen, R. F. (1989). “A case in fostering international HSCT collaboration.”Proc., Euro. Symp. on the Future of High Speed Air Transport, Toulouse, France.
28.
Lowrie, B. W., and Portejole, E. (1990). “Two variable engine cycle concept for second generation supersonic transport.”SAE Paper 901892.
29.
Macdonald, D. A. (1989). “British Airways operational experience with Concorde.”Proc., Euro. Symp. on the Future of High Speed Air Transport, Toulouse, France.
30.
Mirzoyan, A., and Romistrov, N. (1994). “SST propulsion system complex study.”Proc., 7th Euro. Aerospace Conf.: The Supersonic Transport of Second Generation, Toulouse, France.
31.
Mizuno, H. (1994). “Design range issues: Parametric study for range capability (range: 4,000/5,000/6,000 nm).”SSTR-0123A, Japan Aircraft Development Corp.
32.
Mizuno, H., Hagiwara, S., Hanai, T., and Takami, H. (1991). “Feasibility study on the second generation SST.”AIAA-91-3104, Am. Inst. of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Reston, Va.
33.
Mizuno, H., Uchida, T., Futatsudera, N., and Hagiwara, S. (1994). “Study of economically viable SST and technology requirements.”Proc., 7th Euro. Aerospace Conf.: The Supersonic Transport of Second Generation, Toulouse, France.
34.
Mortlock, A. K. (1993). “The high speed civil transport technology challenge.”Proc., Nat. Conf. on Noise Control Engrg., NASA, Langley, Va.
35.
Moxon, J. (1997). “Jumbo challenge.”Flight Int., 11–17 June, 41.
36.
Murray, S. G. (1994). “Can airlines increase profit by operating a second generation supersonic transport?”Proc., 7th Euro. Aerospace Conf.: The Supersonic Transport of Second Generation, Toulouse, France.
37.
NASA. (1992). “First annual high speed research workshop.”NASA N94-33447, Langley, Va.
38.
NASA. (1995). “Scientific assessment of the atmospheric effects of stratospheric aircraft.”NASA RP-1381, Langley, Va.
39.
NASA. (1996). “Aircraft emission inventories projected in year 2015 for a high-speed civil transport (HSCT) universal airline network.”NASA CR-4659, Langley, Va.
40.
NASA. (1996). “High-speed civil transport forecast: Simulated airlines scenarios for Mach 1.6, Mach 2.0, and Mach 2.4 configurations for year 2015.”NASA CR-4719, Langley, Va.
41.
Norris, G. (1996). “NASA test synthetic-vision landing system.”Flight Int., 13–19 March, 10.
42.
Norris, G. (1996). “NASA unveils supersonic concept aircraft.”Flight Int., 17–23 April, 10.
43.
Novichkov, N., and Mann, P. (1996). “Russia's TU-144LL readied for supersonic research.”Aviation Week & Space Technol., 25 March, 32–33.
44.
Nuesser, H., and Ortmann, C. (1994). “Estimating demand for supersonic transport.”Proc., 7th Euro. Aerospace Conf.: The Supersonic Transport of Second Generation, Toulouse, France.
45.
Odell, T. (1994). “The supersonic transport: A manufacturer's view.”Proc., 7th Euro. Aerospace Conf.: The Supersonic Transport of Second Generation, Toulouse, France.
46.
Ott, J. (1997). “HSCT computer model takes shape at NASA.”Aviation Week & Space Technol., 13 Oct., 68–69.
47.
Ozoroski, L. P., Shields, E. W., Fenbert, J. W., and McElroy, M. O. (1993). “Benefits associated with advanced technologies applied to a high-speed civil transport concept.”AIAA 93-1173, Am. Inst. of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Reston, Va.
48.
Poisson-Quinton, P. (1994). “Future SSTs: A European approach.”Aerospace America, Sept., 38–43.
49.
Proctor, P., and Sparaco, P. (1994). “Supersonic studies point to green SST.”Aviation Week & Space Technol., 4 Sept., 69–73.
50.
Rotta, M., and Smith, S. (1992). “The mid-tandem fan propulsion system for future supersonic transports.”Proc., 7th Euro. Aerospace Conf.: The Supersonic Transport of Second Generation, Toulouse, France.
51.
Schrage, D. P., and Mavris, D. N. (1993). “Integrated design and manufacturing for the high speed civil transport.”AIAA 93-3994, Am. Inst. of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Reston, Va.
52.
Schumann, U. (1994). “Impact of emissions from aircraft on the atmosphere.”Proc., 7th Eruo. Aerospace Conf.: The Supersonic Transport of Second Generation, Toulouse, France.
53.
Singh, R. (1996). “Fifty years of civil aero gas turbines.” Lecture at Cranfield Univ., School of Mech. Engrg., June 1996, Cranfield.
54.
Smith, B. A. (1995). “F-16XL flights could aid in HSCT design.”Aviation Week & Space Technol., 23 Oct., 41–44.
55.
Smith, M. G. (1990). “High speed civil transport: propulsion system studies.”SAE Paper 901891.
56.
Smith, M. J. T. (1990). “The environmental challenges for the next supersonic aircraft.”Proc., 28th Aircraft Symp. of Aeronautical and Space Sci., Tokyo, Japan.
57.
Sparaco, P., and Shifrin, C. (1994). “European firms team on supersonic studies.”Aviation Week & Space Technol., 11 April, 20–21.
58.
Sparaco, P. (1997). “European industry pursues SST technology readiness.”Aviation Week & Space Technol., 13 Oct., 75–76.
59.
Spitzer, R. E. (1995). “The high speed research (HSR) program: An industry perspective.” Afternoon colloquium at NASA Langley Research Center, 4 April, Langley, Va.
60.
Stephens, J. R., Hecht, R. J., and Johnson, A. M. (1993). “Material requirements for a high speed civil transport.”Proc., 11th Int. Symp. on Air Breathing Engines, Tokyo, Japan.
61.
Strack, W. C. (1990). “Propulsion challenges and opportunities for high-speed transport aircraft.”N92-22540.
62.
Swadling, S. J. (1992). “Prospects for a second generation supersonic transport.”Proc., ICAS, 18th Congress, Beijing, China.
63.
Swihart, J. M. (1994). “Prospects for a second generation high speed civil transport.”Proc., 7th Euro. Aerospace Conf.: The Supersonic Transport of Second Generation, Toulouse, France.
64.
Swink, J. R., and Goins, R. T. (1992). “High-speed civil transport advanced flight deck challenges.”AIAA 92-4231, Am. Inst. of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Reston, Va.
65.
Tournebeouf, J., and Lowrie, B. W. (1993). “Propulsion for the Second Generation Supersonic Transport.” Lecture at Cranfield Univ., School of Mech. Engrg., Cranfield.
66.
Vachal, J. D. (1990). “High-speed civil transport: Research and technology needs.”SAE Paper 901925.
67.
Welge, H. R., and Antani, D. L. (1990). “HSCT aerodynamic technology for enhanced economic viability.”SAE Paper 901924.
68.
Wesoky, H. L., Facey, J. R., and Shepherd, K. P. (1991). “Technical bases for high speed civil transport environmental acceptability.”AIAA 91-3326, Am. Inst. of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Reston, Va.
69.
Wesoky, H. L., Prather, M. J., and Kayten, G. G. (1990). “NASA's high speed research program: An introduction and status report.”SAE Paper 901923.
70.
Wilhite, A., and Shaw, R. (1997). “HSCT research picks up speed.”Aerospace America, Aug., 24–29, 41.
71.
Williams, L. J. (1994). “NASA's high speed research program.”Proc., 7th Euro. Aerospace Conf.: The Supersonic Transport of Second Generation, Toulouse, France.
72.
Williams, L. J. (1995). “HSCT research gathers speed.”Aerospace America, April, 32–37.
73.
Woolsey, J. P. (1995). “SST studies stepped up.”Air Transport World, April, 33–40.
74.
Woolsey, J. P. (1996). “US SST drive advances.”Air Transport World, June, 157–158.
75.
Yoshida, A., and Shoichi, F.(1994). “Sonic boom impacts of supersonic civil transport.”Bull. Univ. of Osaka, 43(1), 5–12.
76.
Yoshida, A., Yamamoto, A., Futatsudera, N., and Hagiwara, S. (1994). “Study on aerodynamic characteristics of low boom SCT.”Proc., 7th Euro. Aerospace Conf.: The Supersonic Transport of Second Generation, Toulouse, France.
77.
Zurer, P. (1995). “NASA cultivating basic technology for supersonic passenger aircraft.”C&EN, 24 April, 10–15.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Aerospace Engineering
Volume 11 • Issue 3 • July 1998
Pages: 95 - 104
Copyright
Copyright © 1998 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Published online: Jul 1, 1998
Published in print: Jul 1998
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.