Supersonic aircraft

The order of the book may appear a little puzzling to the reader at this point. In Chapter 5 we saw how the speed range went from subsonic to supersonic and hypersonic via the intermediate transonic stage. Thus it would appear that transonic aircraft design should be considered before we come to the higher speeds. However, as we also saw in Chapter 5, the transonic flow regime is in many ways much more complex than that of fully developed supersonic flow and it is for this reason that we consider supersonic aircraft first. We need to be aware, though, that supersonic aircraft will also need to fly transonically and so the considerations outlined in the next chapter will also influence their design.

One of the most striking aspects of aircraft is the vast variety of shapes that are used. A few of these are shown in Figs 8.1— 8.4, 8.8, 8.16 and 8.18. We see that some wings are straight, some are swept, some are small and some are large. All have provided successful solutions to the problem of flight at super­sonic speeds.

As in most engineering design problems, the answer is to be found in the fact that the design process is one of compromise. Although an aircraft may be designed for high speed, unless it is an air launched missile it still needs to land and take off and so has to fly at low as well as high speed.

As well as the speed range required of the aircraft, other considerations such as the degree of manoeuvrability required may have an important influence on the overall configuration.

In this chapter we look at the ways in which the wing and the complete aircraft can be designed to achieve a satisfactory compromise. The particular solution chosen depends acutely on the precise role the aircraft is designed to fulfil.

The Lightning (Fig. 8.1) was designed to serve as a relatively lightly loaded high altitude interceptor. The more recently designed Grumman F-14

Fig. 8.1 Highly swept wings

Thin-section highly swept wings were used on the Lightning which was designed as an interceptor, with high speed and climb rate as its major objectives (Photo by N. Cogger)

(Fig. 8.2) has to perform in a variety of roles. The Eurofighter Typhoon (Fig. 8.3) is designed as a highly manoeuvrable transonic and supersonic ‘air superiority’ fighter. The Concorde (Fig. 8.4) is a passenger carrying transport intended to fly economically at supersonic speeds, yet is required to have a reasonably efficient subsonic cruise as well as a good airfield performance.