Essentials of Supersonic Commercial Aircraft Conceptual Design

4Aerodynamic Phenomena in Supersonic Flow

Compressibility effects were recognized and treated fundamentally by E. Mach (1838–1916), L. Prandtl (1875–1953), T. Von Kármán (1881–1963), J. Ackeret (1898–1981), and several other scientists. The development of supersonic aerodynamic theory initially advanced concurrently with low‐speed aerodynamic theory since propeller aircraft that could reach speeds of 900 km in steep diving flight experienced serious stability and control problems due to the compressibility of air. However, the development of applications to high‐subsonic jet airliners and supersonic vehicle design technology rapidly has sped up since the 1930s, when the progress of gas turbine engine technology made it clear that supersonic flight would soon become a reality.

4.1 Compressibility of Atmospheric Air

Although the first turbojet‐powered aircraft had enough thrust to allow supersonic flight, they were also subject to adverse flight dynamics behavior since the aforementioned aerodynamic phenomena had a profound influence on the forces and moments acting on the plane. In the present world of large‐scale applications of high‐speed aircraft, designers involved in the development of a supersonic cruise vehicle (SCV) should have a basic understanding of aerodynamic phenomena in high‐speed flight, such as shock and expansion waves. Moreover, the prediction of aerodynamic ...