Successful supersonic jet noise reduction requires an approach that simultaneously (1) breaks up coherent structures in the jet shear layer turbulence, (2) reduces convection velocity of the acoustic sources, and (3) weakens the shock structure in the plume. If any one of these is done in isolation the result is typically a shift in frequency content and not an overall reduction in source amplitude. Using a set of contoured inserts placed within the expansion section of the nozzle allows all three of these design goals to be addressed. The contour weakens the shock structure while simultaneously generating strong streamwise vorticity the enhances mixing in the jet shear layer. Assuming that future high-performance aircraft would possess a variable area ratio nozzle with independent exit and throat area controls, multi-objective design optimization has yielded a design that maximizes noise reduction with minimal thrust penalty in a variable area ratio framework. Model-scale acoustic data are presented to demonstrate the efficacy of the design.Successful supersonic jet noise reduction requires an approach that simultaneously (1) breaks up coherent structures in the jet shear layer turbulence, (2) reduces convection velocity of the acoustic sources, and (3) weakens the shock structure in the plume. If any one of these is done in isolation the result is typically a shift in frequency content and not an overall reduction in source amplitude. Using a set of contoured inserts placed within the expansion section of the nozzle allows all three of these design goals to be addressed. The contour weakens the shock structure while simultaneously generating strong streamwise vorticity the enhances mixing in the jet shear layer. Assuming that future high-performance aircraft would possess a variable area ratio nozzle with independent exit and throat area controls, multi-objective design optimization has yielded a design that maximizes noise reduction with minimal thrust penalty in a variable area ratio framework. Model-scale acoustic data are presented to d...