Lockheed Skunk Works/SAI Quiet Supersonic Transport (QSST)

CammNut

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Not sure if this is the right place to post these, but there is a connection - and I have not been able to find these elsewhere on here.

Here are a couple of pictures of the low-boom Quiet Supersonic Transport (QSST) designed by the Skunk Works for Supersonic Aerospace International (SAI).

SAI is a company run by Michael Paulsen, son of the late Gulfstream founder Allen Paulsen. Paulsen the younger is underwriting design of the QSST using money bequeathed by Paulsen the elder to realise his dream of a supersonic business-jet.

The QSST uses airframe shaping to minimise the sonic boom, hence the unusual - but dramatic - configuration. Lockheed would not build the QSST - SAI is trying to put together an industry consortium to do that, just as Aerion is - but it would be the design authority if the programme ever gets off the ground.

The Skunk Works, meanwhile, says some of the low-boom design attributes of the QSST would be useful for a supersonic long-range strike aircraft...
 

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Hi,

The Lockheed joined-wing SSBJ aircraft from flightglobal.

http://www.flightglobal.com/FlightPDFArchive/2004/2004-09%20-%202001.pdf
 

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damn, I want one...
 

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Hi,

the Lockheed QSST flying wing project.
http://www.flightglobal.com/PDFArchive/View/2000/2000-1%20-%200998.html?search=projects%20of%20aircraft%202000
 

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Busemann biplane! It's a shape where the shockwaves cancel each other.
There has been lot of consternation around the theory that you can't produce lift with shock-canceling shapes.
 
Hi,

the patent shows the four engined 50-passenger version.
http://www.fetzergroup.com/image-files/pub_pdfs/SN_7-20-04.pdf
 

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hesham said:
the Lockheed QSST flying wing project.
http://www.flightglobal.com/PDFArchive/View/2000/2000-1%20-%200998.html?search=projects%20of%20aircraft%202000

Wow, that looks like it would have awfully high trim-drag levels. Straight wings aren't good for that...
 
Wow, that looks like it would have awfully high trim-drag levels. Straight wings aren't good for that...

The F-104 didn't seem to have a problem with it. Once again, some things aren't as simple as they appear. T/C ratio matters, as do many other factors.
 
Sundog,

The F-104 didn't seem to have a problem with it. Once again, some things aren't as simple as they appear. T/C ratio matters, as do many other factors.

I know, I've always wondered about that... I'm guessing it's the fact that it has a T-tail (doesn't ride in the turbulent flow behind the wing), it might have more leverage being higher up (just like an engine being farther out increases the degree of yaw when it fails, the T-tail being higher up would logically have more leverage, no?), and it's tail is huge in area (almost as big as the wing itself)


KJ Lesnick
 
KJ_Lesnick said:
and it's tail is huge in area (almost as big as the wing itself)


The QSST's tail design serves two purposes - one is structural: it helps support the engines, which allows the wing to be thinner and so reduces supersonic drag. The second is aerodynamic. A key to reducing supersonic drag, and also sonic boom, is to spread the lift over as long a distance (lengthwise) as possible. Delta wings have long root chords, made longer by extending the leading edge forward where it joins the fuselage. In the QSST, the tail also produces lift and generates it towards the back of the aircraft, which helps spread the total lift along almost the full length of the aircraft, reducing drag and boom.
 

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Awesome! This QSST relies heavily on the earlier SSBJ project it seems.
The project is proof that one can still come up with original and defining designs in aviation. If only it could be built for real... and produced...
 
So is this still working or has this vision of the future gone dark as well.
 
Supersonic Aerospace International (SAI) estimated that development cost of the QSST would be between $2.5 and $3 billion in 2004 US dollars. The first flight of the QSST was planned for sometime in 2014 and customer deliveries were planned for 2016.

SAI estimated that the market for the QSST would be between 300 to 400 aircraft with an expected selling price of $80 million each in 2004 dollars.

Supersonic Aerospace International LLC was defunct sometime in November or December 2009. Still searching for details since press reports indicated that SAI was still a going concern as late as November 29, 2009.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quiet_Supersonic_Transport
http://www.flug-revue.rotor.com/FRTYPEN/FRQSST.htm
 
Hi,

here is the Lockheed Martin QSST design,note it have
a low-wing and not high-wing in those artist drawings.

http://books.google.com.eg/books?id=KdMDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA75&dq=boeing+2707&hl=ar&ei=tw6nTLDUM8qAOq-fkeQM&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=62&ved=0CJkCEOgBMD0#v=onepage&q&f=true
 

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http://www.aviationweek.com/shownews/04nbaa/images/sn_nbaa04_2.pdf

Until now, the QSST has run as a compartmented program within the Skunk Works, protected by code-locked doors. Even internally, the QSST was identified only as P-422
 

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Matej said:
I am still wondering, how much does this QSST concept have to do with their BrightStar demonstrator.

My understanding is that mulitple groups within ADP were working on quiet, supersonic, supercruise technologies. I do not know if this design shares DNA with Bright Star, or wether they were different design groups. Some of the patents related to QSST are very, very interesting.
 
Orionblamblam said:
yasotay said:
...this vision of the future gone dark as well.

A phrase/sentiment that I'm hearing a lot, and expect to hear a lot more.

:-[

I wish I could say you were wrong. [sighs]
 
Greetings All -

Neat model -

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Quiet-Supersonic-Business-Jet-Concept-Model-/180861789030?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a1c33e366


A bit much for my wallet though... Mark
 

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Supersonic Aerospace International, LLC (SAI) Quiet Supersonic Transport (QSST) concept developed by Lockheed Martin Skunkworks.
http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,2251.0.html

If only Gulfstream Aerospace would pick up the project.
 
Via the Internet Archive Wayback Machine:

QSST AT A GLANCE

The Quiet Supersonic Transport (QSST) will redefine air travel in the 21st Century. With a non-stop range of more than 4,000 nautical miles, QSST will be able to fly at uninterrupted supersonic speeds over land and sea. Up to twelve passengers will be able to travel in large cabin comfort to global destinations in half the time taken by current passenger aircraft. QSST is the only jet with a patented design to revolutionize travel with a low "shaped sonic signature" over 100 times quieter than the recently retired "Concorde" supersonic aircraft.

J. Michael Paulson founded SAI in 2000 to fulfill his late father’s dream of making quiet supersonic flight a reality. His father, Allen E. Paulson, founder and former CEO of Gulfstream, understood his customers and their need to minimize travel time. SAI’s vision, plan and team, coupled with Lockheed Martin’s superior technical design, will make this concept a reality.

SAI has a proven history and powerful future: "QSST - a revolutionary aircraft for the "21st" century traveler."

SONIC SIGNATURE 101

QSST’s advanced integrated design reduces the sonic signature to a sound level between the interior of a car at 70 miles per hour and normal talking levels.

It is predicted that the sonic signature of QSST will not be disturbing to people or structures on the ground below. QSST cruising overhead is expected to be barely audible against ordinary background noise.

QSST AND THE ENVIRONMENT

QSST was designed to be environmentally friendly and meet or exceed sound, environmental and other prevailing standards. QSST's engines will use advanced technologies to reduce takeoff and landing sound, minimize emissions during supersonic cruise, and maximize combustion efficiency at low altitude.

Source:
http://web.archive.org/web/20061030135754/http://www.saiqsst.com/index.html
 

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ABOUT SAI

As the founder and former CEO of Gulfstream, Allen E. Paulson understood his company’s success was founded by understanding his customers and their need to maximize productivity by minimizing travel time without compromising passenger comfort and operating flexibility. J. Michael Paulson founded Supersonic Aerospace International LLC (SAI) in 2000 to fulfill his late father’s vision and his mission to make “quiet supersonic flight” a reality in the 21st century. The Quiet Supersonic Transport (QSST) is the embodiment of this vision and mission.

The QSST’s revolutionary design is the culmination of over 5 years of work performed at a cost more than $25 million. Under contract to SAI, Lockheed Martin’s famed aircraft design group, the ’Skunk Works®’ designed an exceptional supersonic aircraft that can be built, certified, and satisfy all established (and proposed) sound and environmental regulations. Its patented design will allow QSST the capability of overland supersonic flight without an objectionable sonic sound level that limited the now-retired Concorde. In addition, QSST will be able to utilize nearly all of the world’s major business airports, with its excellent runway and balanced field length performance.

SAI is ready to bring “quiet” supersonic travel to the world...

"QSST - A revolutionary aircraft for the 21st century traveler"

EXECUTIVE TEAM

J. MICHAEL PAULSON
Chairman / CEO

CHRIS TOFFALES
Executive Vice Chairman

PAUL (PAGE) J. HOEPER
President / COO

THOMAS HARTMANN
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company
Chief Technology Officer

ANTHONY L. OTTEN
Chief Financial Officer

ROBERT S METZGER
Partner, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher
Outside Legal Counsel


ADVISORY BOARD

CLAY LACY
Clay Lacy Aviation

JOE CLARK
CEO and Founder
Aviation Partners, Inc.

ROBERT (BOB) COOPER
Consultant
Retired Gulfstream Senior Executive

ROBERT T. (BOB) ELROD
Consultant
Retired Lockheed Martin Senior Executive

PETER G. EDWARDS
Consultant
Retired President of Bombardier
Business Aircraft Division


Source:
http://web.archive.org/web/20061030135809/http://www.saiqsst.com/about.html
 

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