1. Introduction
The
Supersonic Propulsion Technology (SPT) project is part of the Aerospace
Propulsion and Power (APP) Base
Research and Technology (R&T) program of the Aero-Space Technology
Enterprise. The APP Base R&T program will pioneer the identification,
development, verification, transfer, and application of high-payoff aerospace
technologies. The program fits within the NASA strategic vision that “NASA is
an investment in America’s future. As explorers, pioneers, and innovators, we
boldly expand frontiers in air and space to inspire and serve America and to
benefit the quality of life on Earth.” The NASA Strategic Plan establishes a
framework for making management decisions by separating the Agency’s programs
into four externally focused Strategic Enterprises. The Aero-Space Technology
Enterprise has characterized its long-range strategy in the form of three
goals. These are:
Goal
One: Revolutionize Aviation
Goal
Two: Advance Space Transportation
Goal Three: Pioneer Technology
Innovation
The SPT project directly supports Goal Two- Objective 5
Mobility. The intent of the SPT project
is to develop technologies that will contribute to reducing long-haul
transcontinental travel time by half by 2022.
The SPT project contributes to this objective by:
Developing advanced low noise nozzle technology
which will enable supersonic engines to meet subsonic aircraft noise
standards
Developing high-efficiency, stable inlet systems
and inlet technologies for supersonic engines
The SPT project is considered a Level 3 project within the
Level 2 project referred to as Propulsion Fundamentals Research (PFR). The purpose of the Level 2 PFR project is to
develop and/or maintain enabling capabilities where they are not adequately
maintained in the other Level 2 projects.
The research within the SPT Project focuses on developing high-risk,
high-payoff activities that are of long-term strategic importance to future
High-Speed Transports. The project
addresses critical technology needs for High-Speed Transports. The project activities in this area, as
described in this plan, support the Aero-Space Technology Enterprise.
This
project plan provides an authoritative, top-level management description of the
project, and is the controlling document for project content and organization.
This plan is responsive to the requirements of the NASA Program and Project
Management Processes and Requirements (NPG 7120.5A), but has been tailored to
meet the needs of the APP Base R&T program management. The primary purpose
of the plan is to establish the following:
Project objectives and performance goals;
·
Project requirements;
·
Management and implementing organizations responsible for the
project; and
·
Project resources, schedules, and controls.
This plan is an internal
agreement between the Program Manager and the Project Manager, and will be
updated annually to reflect project progress and strategic redirection.
With the cancellation
of the High Speed Research (HSR) Program, there was a desire to continue the
development of critical technologies in support of future supersonic propulsion
systems. The Supersonic Propulsion
Technology (SPT) Project focuses on goals of maintaining U.S. superiority in
supersonic engine development and ensuring the long-term environmental (i.e.,
low noise) compatibility of propulsion systems. The objective of the SPT is to
develop by 2004 propulsion technologies that will enable the design of
high-performance, long-life, light weight, and low-noise exhaust nozzles as
well as high-efficiency, stable inlets for future generations of supersonic
aircraft. The technologies advanced by
SPT will assist primarily in reducing long-haul transcontinental travel time by
half and further improve environmental compatibility. In addition, the SPT project will help to reduce the design cycle
time required for supersonic, low-noise exhaust nozzles and supersonic inlets.
The project will be conducted in cooperation with the other Aero-Space
Technology R&T Base projects and focused programs, the U.S. industry, other
government agencies, and the academic community.
The SPT research is
both computational and experimental, aimed at evaluating and analyzing
promising technologies that could offer significant reductions in noise for
next generation supersonic propulsion systems for commercial aircraft. Fundamental understanding of the flow
physics in nozzles and inlets will enable the development of innovative low
noise and high efficiency concepts.
Improved understanding of critical propulsion components will be achieved
through development and validation of advanced analytical tools in conjunction
with fundamental and applied experiments.
The potential of advanced and unique concepts will be experimentally
validated. Technologies examined in
this project will be closely coordinated and pursued with the Level 3
Fundamental Noise project in the APP Base R&T program (also in the Level 2
PFR project) as well as with the Lightweight Exhaust Nozzle project in the new
Ultra-Efficient Engine Technology program.
2.1 Aero-Space Technology Enterprise Goals
The SPT project supports the following goals and objectives:
Goal One: Revolutionize Aviation- Enable the safe,
environmentally friendly expansion of aviation by achieving five strategic
objectives.
Objective 5: Mobility- Improve the mobility of U.S. Citizens
by reducing travel time for both short and long journeys by air. Reduce long-haul transcontinental travel
time by half by 2022.
The SPT project supports objective 5 by developing advanced
low-noise exhaust nozzle technology and high-performance stable inlet
technology for future supersonic engines.
2.2 Performance Goals
The performance goals of the SPT project are to develop by
2004 propulsion technologies that will enable the design of high-performance,
long-life, light weight, low-noise nozzles and high-efficiency, stable inlet
systems for future generations of supersonic aircraft. The technologies advanced by SPT will assist
in reducing the travel time to the Far East and Europe and further improve
environmental compatibility (i.e., low noise).
2.3 Performance
Indicators
The tasks funded as part of the SPT project are subject to
change each year. Tasks to be funded in subsequent years will be determined
based on the following:
·
Tasks initially selected as part of FY00 proposal
process will be continued if satisfactory progress has been made and technology
is still deemed important
·
Results of yearly proposal process
·
Available funding
Specific technical performance indicators for the project
milestones can be found in Table 2-1 below.