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Originally posted by American Mad Man
OK - I know that it is classified as a subsonic bomber, my question is given enough thrust, could it go supersonic?
Or does the very shape it's self prevent it from doing so?
I'd prefer people who actually know something about aerodynamics to respond
Originally posted by RichardPrice
Originally posted by American Mad Man
OK - I know that it is classified as a subsonic bomber, my question is given enough thrust, could it go supersonic?
Or does the very shape it's self prevent it from doing so?
I'd prefer people who actually know something about aerodynamics to respond
Given enough thrust, anything can go supersonic. The problem is that chances are it wouldnt be able to carry the engine necessary to do so (body shape is horrendous for supersonic flight and would produce far too much drag) and if it did go supersonic, its flight control surfaces arent designed to handle supersonic flight and it would be near to uncontrollable.
I doubt that the B-2 airframe was even designed with supersonic flight in mind, hence why you dont see the B-2 in steep dives etc.
Originally posted by Murcielago
RichardPrice - It wouldn't make much sense for you to make a site about the Aurora stats. Because nothing you hear or read is concrete evidence. We will never find out anything official on the Aurora until it becomes declassified.
Just because the shuttle no longer lift military payloads doesn't really mean much, because the Air Force uses alot of rockets to get there payloads into orbit.
RichardPrice
If you are going to sit there behind statements like "We will never find out anything official on the Aurora until it becomes declassified" then jsut what the hell is the point of this forum? Technically this forum wouldnt exist if we all took that view.
RichardPrice
(No, the shuttle doesnt have to be empty on reentry, indeed it was origionally the plan to use it to grab Hubble ST and bring it home)
It is much more involved than just adding thrust. The shape of the B-2 is not suited to supersonic flight, because the shock wave would carry down the entire leading edge. Every part of the airplane which strikes the airflow and slows it to subsonic speeds will produce a shock wave (the bow wave.) This shock wave will sweep back at an angle known as the mach angle (The mach angle is simply 1/Sin(M) where M is the Mach number of the aircraft. i.e., an aircraft flying at mach 2 will produce shock waves which trail back at a 30 degree angle.)
Originally posted by American Mad Man
OK - I know that it is classified as a subsonic bomber, my question is given enough thrust, could it go supersonic?
Or does the very shape it's self prevent it from doing so?
I'd prefer people who actually know something about aerodynamics to respond
Originally posted by P_38lightning
ive got a bit off info on the aurora. 110ft long 60ft wide. Pulse Detonation Wave Engine. Mach 6+. Lockheed made them. It is smoothly covered in thermal tiles. Fueled by misted liduid hydrogen and methane. leaves a pulse contrail while flying.
Originally posted by American Mad Man
OK - I know that it is classified as a subsonic bomber, my question is given enough thrust, could it go supersonic?
Or does the very shape it's self prevent it from doing so?
respond
AMM, I don't doubt that a supersonic flying wing could be developed, but it would have certain basic requirements.
Originally posted by American Mad Man
...I was just wondering if it could be done in some sort of reasonable way, which I believe you have proven otherwise.
just_a_pilot
I asked him where he used to go and he finally told me. Area 51 Groom Lake. I laughed my ass off because I just got back.