Chinese Scientists Innovate Plane Wing Design to Reduce Sonic Booms

Berita Baru, China – Chinese scientists have made a breakthrough in reducing sonic booms by drilling holes in a plane wing. This innovative method has shown promise in mitigating shock wave vibrations and enhancing aerodynamic efficiency.

Researchers from Northwestern Polytechnical University in northwest China sought a solution to the shock waves and sonic booms that occur when aircraft fly at supersonic speeds. Their unconventional approach involved drilling holes into the plane’s wing, which facilitated airflow from the wing’s underside to its upper surface. According to the team, this adjustment effectively diminished the shock wave vibrations that lead to sonic booms, as quoted from the South China Morning Post on Saturday (10/8/2024).

The findings, detailed in a report published last month in the peer-reviewed journal Acta Aerodynamica Sinica, reveal that the holes improved aerodynamic efficiency by more than 10 percent. This discovery challenges the long-standing principle of aircraft design rooted in Bernoulli’s principle, which dates back to the Wright brothers’ first flight in 1903.

Gao Chao, a professor with Northwestern Polytechnical University’s School of Aeronautics, led the research and explained, “Our experiment successfully mitigated the shock wave vibrations that cause sonic booms. Although there is a slight loss of lift when using jet stream control to suppress shock wave buffeting, it results in an overall reduction in drag, thus improving the lift-to-drag ratio.”

The traditional wing design, with a curved upper surface and flat underside, creates lift by accelerating airflow above the wing to generate lower pressure, while slower airflow below the wing results in higher pressure. This principle has guided aircraft design for over a century. However, as planes approach the speed of sound, shock waves create turbulence and drag, which can lead to destructive vibrations and reduced lift.

The study introduced a cover over the holes that opens only when the plane exceeds the speed of sound. This design allows the airflow beneath the wing to merge with the airflow above, preventing shock waves from forming behind the wing. An air pump within the holes regulates the jet stream intensity, halting turbulence progression and significantly reducing wing vibrations.

The X-59 supersonic jet, expected to conduct its first test flight later this year, represents a step forward in supersonic aviation. Built in partnership with Lockheed Martin, this experimental plane aims to reduce the noise of supersonic flight. Meanwhile, Gao’s team plans to conduct further wind tunnel tests to advance the practical application of their technology.