SONIC BOOM
Abstract
Because there are important meteorological effects on shock wave propagation, weather officers should become acquainted with some of the terminology and the physical principles of weather effects on sonic boom propagation. Calculation of shock wave patterns covering many square miles is an exceedingly complex operation which involves several parameters other than weather data. Sonic booms caused by either aircraft or missiles are influenced by size, shape, speed, trajectory, etc. The use of equations to combine the effects of such a large number of variables can only give results in terms of simplified conditions. Actual measurements made in field tests show a rather broad range of values surrounding those derived from mathematical calculation. In this report, no attempt will be made to present the mathematical treatments required by those who calculate expected sonic booms with the aid of electronic computers. Current knowledge of the effect of weather parameters on sonic boom has been gained primarily from limited atmospheric measurement made near the time and location of planned sonic boom tests. Meteorologists are being asked to examine and help explain the rather wide variability in the observed sonic boom pressures being measured.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1966
- Accession Number
- AD0479366