The present invention provides improvements for supersonic aircraft,
joined-wing aircraft and sonic boom reduction, separately and in
combination, for long range supersonic cruise aircraft with reduced sonic
boom loudness. Several designs for integrating and supporting a propulsion
system with reduced transonic and supersonic drag are disclosed. A
tail-braced wing configuration for supporting a propulsion system
installation with minimum draft interference and reduced structural weight
is provided. A method for designing an improved wing in the presence of a
propulsion system supersonic pressure disturbance is also provided. The
drag reducing features synergistically help in meeting a shaped sonic boom
minimized lift and area distribution. The tail-braced wing design and
other asymmetric area distribution features further reduce the shaped
sonic boom minimum. For example, boom pressure at audible frequencies may
be reduced 30 to 100 times for business jets.
