Supersonic Transport Team

The Supersonic Transport Team is conducting research and development of silent supersonic technology with the goal of establishing advanced technology essential for the realization of economically-viable and environmentallyfriendly supersonic civil transport, which will dramatically reduce traveling times and bring revolutionary changes to global air transportation system. With this research and development, we are not only devising an innovative airframe concept and advanced component technologies, but also continuing research on flight demonstrations of these technologies. Furthermore, we are studying system concepts and flight demonstration technology for a hypersonic propulsion system with the aim of demonstrating a system for Mach 5 hypersonic aircraft, which would be able to cross the Pacific Ocean in two hours.

Goals

With the aim of creating world-leading supersonic aircraft technology for realizing silent supersonic civil transport, we are conducting research and development of key technologies for low sonic boom, low noise during takeoff/landing, low drag and light weight structure. In particular, with regard to sonic boom reduction, we are focusing on a flight demonstration of low sonic boom design concepts and technologies. In addition to research and development of flight demonstration technology and component technologies for hypersonic aircraft, we are focusing on flight demonstrations centering on Mach 5 hypersonic propulsion system technology.

R&D on Silent Supersonic Technology

Concept study for the next-generation supersonic civil transport

Concept image of quiet small supersonic transport

The team has been studying the airframe concept for the next-generation supersonic civil transport, the technological goal we target.

R&D on Component Technologies

Computational analysis and design technology

Simulation of the near-field pressure distribution for sonic boom prediction

The team is studying computational technologies for high-fidelity analyses and advancing multi-disciplinary, multi-objective optimization techniques. We consider these technologies essential for the development of a next-generation supersonic civil transport, and are now developing analytical/design tools based on such technologies.

Aerodynamic Technology

Supersonic wind tunnel test of quiet small supersonic transport concept

To achieve both aerodynamic performance and environmental compatibility in a next-generation supersonic civil transport, we are carrying out the following advanced aerodynamic studies by numerical simulations and/or wind tunnel tests.

• Technology to design a low-drag, low-boom airframe
• Technology to improve take-off/landing performance
• Technology to reduce frictional drag

Structure Technology

Composite material structure wing demonstrator

The team has been accumulating basic data on the long-term durability and mechanical characteristics of heat-resistant composite materials while promoting R&D on the manufacturing technology for low-cost high-precision composite material structure for a next-generation supersonic civil transport unique for its light weight, safe design, and low-cost manufacture. We are also researching and developing a technology to predict and assess aeroelastic characteristics, such as the flutter characteristics of supersonic transport, and pursuing a technology to test these characteristics, as well.

Propulsion Technology

Wind tunnel testing of high-efficient supersonic air-intake

The team is researching and developing a propulsion system technology for a next-generation supersonic civil transport. We are carrying out ground engine tests and wind tunnel tests for technological studies on a low-noise nozzle and highly efficient air-intake for quiet take-off and landing.

Sonic boom measurement and assessment technology

Sonic boom simulator

To help establish an international environmental standard for the sonic boom, our team is studying ways to assess how the boom affects buildings and how human beings perceive the boom. The study includes analyses of the propagation of the sonic boom.

Publishing Research Results

Database top menu

The design technology and aerodynamic data obtained from the compact supersonic experimental aircraft project has been collected and assembled into an Internet-based hypersonic transport aerodynamic design database (NEXST-DB). The purpose of this database is to share research results and contribute to educational and industrial technology development.

R&D and flight test on Silent Supersonic Technology Demonstrator

[image] Silent Supersonic Technology Demonstrator (S3TD)

Our team is studying the development of its own silent supersonic technology demonstrator and flight tests with the target of verifying an advanced airframe concept that will reduce the sonic boom by half. This noise reduction is the most significant challenge for realizing a supersonic civil transport.

Promotional video

Silent Supersonic Technology Demonstrator (6min)

R&D of Hypersonic Transport Technology

Concept image of hypersonic transport

In addition to continuing system reviews of hypersonic transport, which fly at Mach 5, as well as advanced research concerning airframe component technologies such as aerodynamic technology and insulating structure technology, we are studying hypersonic technology experimental aircraft, which is primarily intended for a flight demonstration of a hypersonic turbojet engine operating at Mach 5.

System Review of Hypersonic Transport

In addition to deriving a flight orbit and an airframe configuration for a hypersonic transport capable of carrying 100 passengers across the Pacific Ocean, we will determine a thermal concept, equipment layout and structural form and are examining the validity of the design analysis method. Furthermore, we will use computational fluid analysis and wind tunnel testing from low speed to hypersonic speed to evaluate aerodynamic characteristics as well as aerodynamic heating characteristics of aircraft with the aim of improving the accuracy of design analysis methods.

Low-speed wind tunnel test (wind speed: 30m/s)

Hypersonic wind tunnel test (Mach 5)

Flight Demonstration Research of Hypersonic Turbojet Engine

For the "hypersonic technology experimental aircraft", which is primarily intended to conduct a Mach 5 flight demonstration of the hypersonic turbojet engine, we will determine the airframe configuration and are studying the aerodynamic performance and flight orbit. In addition, we are continuing research on the "integrated airframe/propulsion system design", where the effects of the airframe configuration on the engine performance and the effects of the engine exhaust on the aircraft's flight characteristics have been taken into consideration.

Static firing test of the hypersonic turbojet engine

Design study of hypersonic technology experimental aircraft

Flight Trial Result of NEXST-1 project

Movie of the flight trial
(4min 39sec)

The scaled experimental SST, launched at 7:06 (a.m.) on 10 October, 2005 local time, at the Woomera Test Range, Australia, flew and landed normally. Flight condition planned to acquire the technical telemetry data was achieved.
Total flight time was 15 minutes and 22 seconds, test altitude and speed were 12 km - 19 km and Mach 2.
JAXA expresses our profound gratitude to all parties concerned for cooperation in operating this flight trial of the scaled experimental SST.