The rebirth of supersonic transport

A development status evaluation is presented for the aerodynamic and propulsion system technologies that will be required to make a second-generation SST, or High Speed Civil Transport (HSCT) sufficiently (20 dB) quieter near airports and in supersonic cruise (sonic boom), less NO(x)-emitting, and longer-range than Concorde. NASA's Ames, Lewis, and Langley facilities are intensively concerned with the development of such an environmentally benign and economically feasible Mach 2.4 HSCT; efforts have concentrated on the design of a powerplant with the requisite specific fuel consumption, low emissions, and low noise.