SONIC BOOM MINIMIZATION REVISITED

We revisit the classical Jones-Seebass-GeorgeDarden theory of sonic boom minimization, noting that minimum achievable sonic boom is related to the aircraft's weight divided by the three-halves power of its length. We then summarize studies of sonic boom acceptability and the effects of vibrational relaxation on very weak shock waves, This leads us to conclude that a small, appropriately designed, supersonic business jet's sonic boom may be nearly inaudible outdoors and hardly discernible indoors.

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