Assessing Flight Performance of a Supersonic Airliner with Swing Wing Capabilities using Energy Maneuverability Theory

Overview of Project

This project muses over the promise of the “swing-wing” Boeing 2707-100 concept supersonic airliner. In this work, I use modern aircraft performance assessment tools to assess its promised performance goals. I ask if the problems with structural weight related to the variable geometry wing could be resolved, did its aerodynamics and propulsion substantiate its claims for payload / range performance. In this work, I show that the propulsion/airframe matching of the B2707-100 concept was poor; that this airframe was incapable of super-cruise (flight at supersonic airspeeds without afterburners) which lead to a significant fuel efficiency and range shortfall. It is therefore, not surprising that later B2707 concepts featured radically different aerodynamic design and propulsion system specifications.

Software Used

• VORLAX -Vortex Lattice Method

• EDET - Empirical Drag Estimation Technique

• D2500 - Wavedrag

• EXCEL - VBA

• MATLAB

Project Completed - May, 2021