A hypersonic aircraft includes one or more leading edge assemblies that are designed to manage thermal loads experienced at the leading edges during high speed or hypersonic operation. The leading edge assembly includes a plurality of structural layers and a plurality compliant layers alternately stacked with each other to facilitate thermal expansion and movement between the plurality of structural layers, while also providing a thermal break between the plurality of structural layers.

A hypersonic aircraft includes one or more leading edge assemblies that are designed to cool the leading edge of certain portions of the hypersonic aircraft that are exposed to high thermal loads, such as extremely high temperatures and/or thermal gradients. Specifically, the leading edge assemblies may include an outer wall tapered to a leading edge or stagnation point. A coolant supply provides a flow of cooling fluid to a porous tip that is joined to the forward end of the outer wall and defines variable porosity and/or internal barriers to direct a flow of cooling fluid to the regions of the leading edge experiencing the highest thermal loading.

Flight control systems, flight control methods, and aircraft navigation systems and methods are provided. A method for estimating a sound level at a geographical location including determining, by an aircraft navigational processor, an initial navigational route, estimating, by the aircraft navigational processor, the sound level at the geographical location in response to a first sound pressure wave estimated to be generated by the aircraft at a first point along the initial navigational route and a second sound pressure wave generated by the aircraft at a second point along the initial navigational route, determining, by the aircraft navigational processor, an alternate navigational route in response to the sound level exceeding a noise limit at the geographical location, and displaying, by a user interface, the alternate navigational route and an alert indicative of the sound level exceeding the noise limit.

Flight control systems, flight control methods, and aircraft navigation systems and methods are provided. A method for estimating a sound level at a geographical location including determining, by an aircraft navigational processor, an initial navigational route, estimating, by the aircraft navigational processor, the sound level at the geographical location in response to a first sound pressure wave estimated to be generated by the aircraft at a first point along the initial navigational route and a second sound pressure wave generated by the aircraft at a second point along the initial navigational route, determining, by the aircraft navigational processor, an alternate navigational route in response to the sound level exceeding a noise limit at the geographical location, and displaying, by a user interface, the alternate navigational route and an alert indicative of the sound level exceeding the noise limit.

A system and method for controlling hypersonic boundary layer transition for a hypersonic flight vehicle are disclosed. The reduction or elimination of hot streaks that naturally occurs in the boundary layer transition process during hypersonic flight is achieved by utilizing various techniques. One such technique utilizes roughness elements to counteract streak development. The techniques for reducing or eliminating the streaks are tailored such that the nonlinear stages of transition are profoundly altered. This results in significant drag reduction, and consequently an increase in range of the vehicle, and also a reduction of the weight penalty due to the Thermal Protection Systems (TPS) as less protective material would be required, thus allowing for an increased payload and/or range of the vehicle.

A system and method for controlling hypersonic boundary layer transition for a hypersonic flight vehicle are disclosed. The reduction or elimination of hot streaks that naturally occurs in the boundary layer transition process during hypersonic flight is achieved by utilizing various techniques. One such technique utilizes roughness elements to counteract streak development. The techniques for reducing or eliminating the streaks are tailored such that the nonlinear stages of transition are profoundly altered. This results in significant drag reduction, and consequently an increase in range of the vehicle, and also a reduction of the weight penalty due to the Thermal Protection Systems (TPS) as less protective material would be required, thus allowing for an increased payload and/or range of the vehicle.

A thermal insulation system for an aircraft is provided. The thermal insulation system includes a carrier and a container. The carrier has an interior surface including a first plurality of magnets that generate a first magnetic field, and an exterior surface that is thermally coupled to at least one high temperature component. The container is surrounded by the interior surface of the carrier, has an exterior surface including a second plurality of magnets that generate a second magnetic field oriented opposite the first magnetic field, and has an interior surface that is thermally coupled to at least one temperature sensitive component. The first magnetic field and the second magnetic field generate a gap between the carrier and the container to reduce a heat transfer from the at least one high temperature component to the at least one temperature sensitive component during operation of the aircraft.

A thermal insulation system for an aircraft is provided. The thermal insulation system includes a carrier and a container. The carrier has an interior surface including a first plurality of magnets that generate a first magnetic field, and an exterior surface that is thermally coupled to at least one high temperature component. The container is surrounded by the interior surface of the carrier, has an exterior surface including a second plurality of magnets that generate a second magnetic field oriented opposite the first magnetic field, and has an interior surface that is thermally coupled to at least one temperature sensitive component. The first magnetic field and the second magnetic field generate a gap between the carrier and the container to reduce a heat transfer from the at least one high temperature component to the at least one temperature sensitive component during operation of the aircraft.

A high-Mach engine includes a gas turbine core, an inlet assembly, and a transmission. The inlet assembly including an inlet turbine and the transmission configured to couple the inlet turbine and a core turbine of the gas turbine core cooperate to control air moving through the high-Mach engine.

A hypersonic aircraft includes one or more leading edge assemblies that are designed to manage thermal loads experienced at the leading edges during high speed or hypersonic operation. Specifically, the leading edge assemblies may include an outer wall tapered to a leading edge or stagnation point. The outer wall may define a vapor chamber and a capillary structure within the vapor chamber for circulating a working fluid in either liquid or vapor form to cool the leading edge. In addition, a thermal energy storage reservoir positioned within the vapor chamber contains a phase change material for absorbing thermal energy.