Before the high-speed civil transport

Abstract

Following the cancellation of the U.S. National SST Program in March, 1971, NASA conducted SST propulsion technology and configurational aerodynamics and structures development efforts through what came in the wake of a 1976 conference to be called the Supersonic Cruise Research and Variable Cycle Engine programs. These programs were in turn canceled in 1982. The present historical assessment of major advancements in passenger aircraft technology notes that the flying public has tended to be reluctant in accepting such innovations as swept-wing jet airliners and may be expected to be similarly wary about SST use.