Preliminary Airborne Measurements for the SR-71 Sonic Boom Propagation Experiment

Haering Jr., Edward A. and Ehernberger, L.J. and Whitmore, Stephen A. (1996) Preliminary Airborne Measurements for the SR-71 Sonic Boom Propagation Experiment. In Proceedings 1995 NASA High-Speed Research Program Sonic Boom Workshop I, pages 176-198, Langley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia.

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Abstract

SR-71 sonic boom signatures were measured to validate sonic boom propagation prediction codes. An SR-71 aircraft generated sonic booms from Mach 1.25 to Mach 1.6, at altitudes of 31,000 to 48,000 ft, and at various gross weights. An
F-16XL aircraft measured the SR-71 near-field shock waves from close to the aircraft to more than 8,000 ft below, gathering 105 signatures. A YO-3A aircraft measured the SR-71 sonic booms from 21,000 to 38,000 ft below, recording 17 passes. The sonic booms at ground level and atmospheric data were recorded for each flight. Data analysis is underway. Preliminary results show that shock wave patterns and coalescence vary with SR-71 gross weight, Mach number, and altitude. For example, noncoalesced shock wave signatures were measured by the YO-3A at 21,000 ft below the SR-71 aircraft while at a low gross weight, Mach 1.25, and 31,000-ft altitude. This paper describes the design and execution of the flight research experiment. Instrumentation and flight maneuvers of the SR-71,
F-16XL, and YO-3A aircraft and sample sonic boom signatures are included.

EPrint Type:	Conference or Meeting Presentation
Keywords:	Aerodynamic flow field, Aerodynamics, Aircraft flight test, F-16XL aircraft, Global Positioning System, Instrumentation, SR-71 aircraft, Sonic boom, YO-3A aircraft
Subjects:	Aircraft/Project: SR-71 Blackbird Aircraft/Project: F-16XL
ID Code:	1841
Deposited On:	26 Febuary 2008
Additional Information:	23 pages. Haering Jr., Ehernberger, Whitmore, NASA Dryden Flight Research Center. In NASA Conference Publication 3335, 1995 NASA High-Speed Research Program Sonic Boom Workshop, Volume I, Paper No. 9, pages 176-198.