Systems and methods according to embodiments of the present technology vary engine throttle and flight control surfaces (such as high-lift devices, which can include flaps and/or slats) during takeoff, climb, approach, and/or landing of a supersonic aircraft to reduce noise. A representative computing device automatically controls thrust output of the propulsion system according to a schedule of thrust output, such that the thrust output remains below levels at which the jet exhaust becomes supersonic, and such that noise is reduced to comply with noise regulations or other limitations. The computing device also automatically controls the position and configuration of flight control surfaces to compensate for the reduced thrust and to maintain an appropriate climb and/or descent rate.

A supersonic aircraft comprising longitudinal passenger rows has at its front end a 1.sup.st impeller module comprising right and left electrically powered fan sets each comprising two diagonal fans in series, with the respective fan sets spinning in opposite rotational directions around parallel axes. The exhausts from the two fan sets merge to pass conjoined longitudinally along the aircraft to enter a 2.sup.nd impeller module comprising electrically powered centrifugal fans rotating in opposite rotational directions around a shared axis. The twin exhausts from the centrifugal fans are collected in specialized volutes that eject the exhausts rearwardly for thrust. All the fans' rotational rates are therefore infinitely variable with thrust always maximized via independent rate modulation of all the fans, few constraints being imposed by airspeed or by prevailing air density. The impeller modules' fans are driven via electrical coils spinning between pairs of stators embedded with Halbach-arrayed or non-Halbach-arrayed magnets.

A supersonic aircraft comprising longitudinal passenger rows has at its front end a 1.sup.st impeller module comprising right and left electrically powered fan sets each comprising two diagonal fans in series, with the respective fan sets spinning in opposite rotational directions around parallel axes. The exhausts from the two fan sets merge to pass conjoined longitudinally along the aircraft to enter a 2.sup.nd impeller module comprising electrically powered centrifugal fans rotating in opposite rotational directions around a shared axis. The twin exhausts from the centrifugal fans are collected in specialized volutes that eject the exhausts rearwardly for thrust. All the fans' rotational rates are therefore infinitely variable with thrust always maximized via independent rate modulation of all the fans, few constraints being imposed by airspeed or by prevailing air density. The impeller modules' fans are driven via electrical coils spinning between pairs of stators embedded with Halbach-arrayed or non-Halbach-arrayed magnets.

An exterior panel is configured to accommodate high thermal stresses imposed on exterior surfaces of aerospace transport vehicles during hypersonic flight. The exterior panel is formed of a superplastic material such as a titanium alloy, and includes an exterior skin and a plurality of cooling tubes that extend through the panel. The exterior panel further includes an interior skin configured to be attached to a frame member such as a rib, stringer, or spar of the transport vehicle. The tubes pass through a multicellular core, which is sandwiched between the exterior and interior skins to impart tensile and compressive strength to the exterior panel. In one disclosed method, the core is superplastic formed and diffusion bonded to the exterior skin, the tubes, and the interior skin. A cooling fluid, which may be a gas or liquid, including a fuel, may be pumped through the tubes to cool the exterior panel.

Aspects of the invention regard an aircraft including: a gas turbine engine, the gas turbine engine including an intake, a nacelle, and gas turbine engine components located radially inside the nacelle; and an aircraft structure. The intake of the gas turbine engine is mounted to the aircraft structure in a manner such that its position can be adjusted. The nacelle and the gas turbine engine components located radially inside the nacelle are rigidly mounted to the aircraft structure. Other aspects of the invention regard a gas turbine engine and a method for adjusting the input of air flowing into a gas turbine engine.

Aspects of the invention regard an aircraft including: a gas turbine engine, the gas turbine engine including an intake, a nacelle, and gas turbine engine components located radially inside the nacelle; and an aircraft structure. The intake of the gas turbine engine is mounted to the aircraft structure in a manner such that its position can be adjusted. The nacelle and the gas turbine engine components located radially inside the nacelle are rigidly mounted to the aircraft structure. Other aspects of the invention regard a gas turbine engine and a method for adjusting the input of air flowing into a gas turbine engine.

A method of designing an aircraft shape of a supersonic aircraft according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: obtaining an equivalent cross-sectional area distribution of an initial shape at an off-track position of an aircraft; setting a target equivalent cross-sectional area distribution at the off-track position of the aircraft for reducing sonic booms on the basis of the obtained equivalent cross-sectional area distribution; and converting, on the basis of a required additional cross-sectional area distribution that is a difference between the equivalent cross-sectional area distribution and the target equivalent cross-sectional area distribution, a required additional cross-sectional area of a cross-section of the aircraft on an off-track Mach plane that extends through an arbitrary position in an airflow direction into a required additional cross-sectional area of a cross-section of the aircraft on an on-track Mach plane of the aircraft that is located near the off-track Mach plane and adding the required additional cross-sectional area of the cross-section of the aircraft on the on-track Mach plane.

A method of designing an aircraft shape of a supersonic aircraft according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: obtaining an equivalent cross-sectional area distribution of an initial shape at an off-track position of an aircraft; setting a target equivalent cross-sectional area distribution at the off-track position of the aircraft for reducing sonic booms on the basis of the obtained equivalent cross-sectional area distribution; and converting, on the basis of a required additional cross-sectional area distribution that is a difference between the equivalent cross-sectional area distribution and the target equivalent cross-sectional area distribution, a required additional cross-sectional area of a cross-section of the aircraft on an off-track Mach plane that extends through an arbitrary position in an airflow direction into a required additional cross-sectional area of a cross-section of the aircraft on an on-track Mach plane of the aircraft that is located near the off-track Mach plane and adding the required additional cross-sectional area of the cross-section of the aircraft on the on-track Mach plane.

A method of reducing low-energy flow in a flight vehicle engine includes an isolator of the engine having a swept-back wedge to improve flow mixing. The wedge includes forward shock-anchoring locations, such as edges or rapidly-curved portions, that anchor oblique shocks in situations where the isolator has sufficient back pressure. The swept-back wedge may also create swept oblique shocks along its length. Boundary layer flow streamlines are diverted running parallel to or parallel but moving outward conically to the swept-wedge leading edge moving outboard and upward. The non-viscous flow outside the boundary layer is processed through the swept-back ramp shock and diverted outboard and upward as well. The outboard aft portion of the wedge at the sidewall intersection may also induce shocks and divert flow near the walls closer toward the walls and upward, and/or improve flow mixing.

A method of reducing low-energy flow in a flight vehicle engine includes an isolator of the engine having a swept-back wedge to improve flow mixing. The wedge includes forward shock-anchoring locations, such as edges or rapidly-curved portions, that anchor oblique shocks in situations where the isolator has sufficient back pressure. The swept-back wedge may also create swept oblique shocks along its length. Boundary layer flow streamlines are diverted running parallel to or parallel but moving outward conically to the swept-wedge leading edge moving outboard and upward. The non-viscous flow outside the boundary layer is processed through the swept-back ramp shock and diverted outboard and upward as well. The outboard aft portion of the wedge at the sidewall intersection may also induce shocks and divert flow near the walls closer toward the walls and upward, and/or improve flow mixing.