Full Configuration Low Boom Model and Grids for 2014 Sonic Boom Prediction Workshop

A conceptual supersonic transport design, identified as 1021-01, was developed for the NASA N+2 Supersonic Validations program. It was designed to produce very low sonic boom. A wind tunnel model was fabricated and tested to validate the predicted low sonic boom. An efficient “spatial averaging” measurement technique was used to handle distortions endemic to low sonic boom wind tunnel measurement, resulting in measurements precise enough to match predicted ground loudness within 1 PLdB. It was decided this model and data would make a good case for the 2014 Sonic Boom Prediction Workshop. Model development details and flow prediction challenges encountered during development are illustrated. Test oil flow visualization is shown to guide analyses, especially with regard to viscous boundary layer modeling. Viscosity was not important at fullscale but was found to be important at wind tunnel model scale (1/125). Geometry and grid files are expected to be available on the workshop website by 31 January 2013.