Higher-Fidelity CFD Tools for Conceptual Design of Supersonic Business Jets

Abstract

Supersonic business jets are regarded as prime modes of next-generation supersonic transport. They allow long-distance travel at low duration by crossing the Mach 1 speed. This results in the breaking of the sound barrier and a sonic boom generated. Sonic boom and aerodynamic efficiency are the biggest concerns for the return of civil supersonic transport. Supersonic vehicles, such as spacecraft, high-speed missiles, and supersonic jets, are subjected to heavy shock wave drag during flight, which will seriously affect the aerodynamic performance of supersonic vehicles. In addition, supersonic vehicles are also subjected to heavy aerodynamic heating during flight. Therefore, modified geometries using aerospikes and aerodisks can be effective to reduce the above-said concerns. In this paper, we discuss aerospikes and aerodisks, its effectiveness, and its importance. The use of these novel mechanisms in the design of supersonic business jets is probed in order to perform future design studies.