The latest in Japan's biplane tech

[Taro Toporific]

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A Supersonic Biplane that Whispers Where the Concorde Yelled
Txchnologist | 2012-08-16
...a Japanese research group at Tohoku University...designed a modified Busemann biplane with moving wing sections...The Tohoku plane cut drag and sonic booms by employing ‘morphing wings’ that change shape in mid-flight to enable the plane to attain and sustain supersonic speeds (PDF).
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Prior Art

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[Coligny]

Awesome... except for few details...

Having done some sleepover in unsound french suburbs on appartement right in the alignement of the take of path of the Concorde (*for reasons linked but not included in the Dayton agreement (no, seriously)). That bitch was a screamer at any speed. Like for fighter jets, the engines were guilty. Because the wings were from the start designed to be the most efficient at mach+ speed. That's why they are dogs at lower speeds, just look at an SR71 refuelling in midair. It would be comical if it was not looking so insanely dangerous.

There is also the fact that unlike Mirage 2000 who are excessively playfull and enjoy low altitude afterburner kicks to play with the landscape, the Concorde was doing Mach+ speed only at high altitude, were I'm pretty sure the effect on the ground were quite tamed...

The fact that I'm ready to bet that unless they find an active cancellation method, the only way to avoid sonic boom is to avoid sonic speeds. Even the french TGV trigger sonic booms in tunnels because of the forwarded compressed air that reach sonic speeds at the exit. The noise is cancelled by the same method used in gun silencers.

And lastly...

They are in Tohoku... and I'm pretty sure that RIGHT NOW, they kinda have a bigger engineering problem to deal with and to put ressources and money on...

[yanpa]

And lastly...

They are in Tohoku... and I'm pretty sure that RIGHT NOW, they kinda have a bigger engineering problem to deal with and to put ressources and money on...

What engineering problem(s) in Tohoku require the input of aerospace (aerodynamics?) researchers?

[Coligny]

What engineering problem(s) in Tohoku require the input of aerospace (aerodynamics?) researchers?

Nah... that line of defense only -sort of- wprks for fundamental research...

Meanwhile, I'm pretty sur those guys knows a bit aboot how to build something against hostile environement and electronic shielding...

[Screwed-down Hairdo]

What engineering problem(s) in Tohoku require the input of aerospace (aerodynamics?) researchers?

So they could go...痛い、痛い、飛んで行けっ！？

[Mike Oxlong]

What engineering problem(s) in Tohoku require the input of aerospace (aerodynamics?) researchers?

So they could go...痛い、痛い、飛んで行けっ！？