Our ability to fly at supersonic speeds over land in civil aircraft
depends on our ability to reduce the level of sonic booms. NASA has been
exploring a variety of options for quieting the boom, starting with
design concepts and moving through wind tunnel tests to flight
tests of new technologies. This rendering of a possible future civil
supersonic transport shows a vehicle that is shaped to reduce the sonic
shockwave signature and also to reduce drag. Image credit: NASA/Lockheed
Martin