Summary of recent design studies of advanced acoustic-composite nacelles

The results are summarized of recent NASA-sponsored studies of advanced acoustic-composite nacelles. Conceptual nacelle designs for current wide-bodied transports and for advanced technology transports, intended for operational use in the mid-1980's, were studied by Lockheed-California Company and the Douglas Aircraft Company. These studies were conducted with the objective of achieving significant reductions in community noise and/or fuel consumption with minimum penalties in airplane weights, cost, and operating expense. The results indicate that the use of advanced composite materials offer significant potential weight and cost savings and result in reduced fuel consumption and noise when applied to nacelles. The most promising concept for realizing all of these benefits was a long duct, mixed flow acoustic composite nacelle with advanced acoustic liners.