Part 3/5:
Validation Through Wind Tunnel Testing
These innovative designs have undergone extensive validation via wind tunnel testing. Such tests simulate flight conditions and allow engineers to observe how shock waves form and propagate around the aircraft. The results have been promising, indicating that it is possible to significantly diminish sonic booms on the ground while maintaining the aircraft's aerodynamic performance.
The Path Forward: Flight Testing and Regulatory Changes
Building on these promising results, NASA and Lockheed Martin are planning to conduct flight tests early next year. These tests aim to verify if the ground perception of sonic booms can be kept at the subdued sonic thud level during actual flight, not just in simulated environments.