Investigation of sonic boom generated by thin, nonlifting, rectangular wings

Abstract

A theory is described for predicting sonic boom pressure signatures emitted by nonlifting rectangular wings. Comparisons are made with previous (Whitham) theory and with experimentally determined near field signatures. Although both theories agree with experiment for low aspect ratio wings, Whitman's theory seriously overpredicts signature length for high aspect ratio wings. No experiments were conducted in the far field, but the two theories predict nearly identical results in this region.