Shaped Sonic Boom Demonstration

After measuring the 1,300 recordings, some taken inside the shock wave by a chase plane, the SSBD demonstrated a reduction in boom by about one-third.

Several of the flights included NASA Dryden's F-15B research testbed aircraft following to measure the F-5E's shock wave signature close-up.

A U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School Blanik L-23 glider carrying a microphone on the left wingtip, and a pressure transducer on the side of the fuselage, flew at a lower altitude of 10,000 feet (3,000 m) under the path of the F-5E, which flew at 32,000 feet (9,800 m), to record sonic booms in the air.

In addition, sonic boom data were gathered on the ground by an array of 42 sensors and recording devices along 2.5 miles (4.0 km) under the flight path of the F-5E.

The demonstration was initially part of the Quiet Supersonic Platform program funded by Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).