NASA/LockMart "Supersonic Green Machine"

[Orionblamblam]

http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/imagegallery/image_feature_1698.html

 

[Voidhawk9]

Perhaps proving once again that a fantastic SST could be built even today... but computer graphics are less risky.

How 'popular' would be the airline to put a few shiny new SSTs into service? I'd pay (some) extra to fly on it!

One of the reasons this forum is so great is because the actually built projects are boring (787 anyone?).

 

[Triton]

Part of NASA's N+3 studies of concepts for supersonic commercial aircraft that could enter service in 2030-35.

http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/blogs/defense/index.jsp?plckController=Blog&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&newspaperUserId=27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7&plckPostId=Blog%3a27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7Post%3a9512b314-6106-4f30-a92a-ff45e91fb888&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest


Hesham, previously found a smaller graphic of this concept at:
http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,181.msg51324/highlight,aeronautics+nasa+gov+nra_awardees_10_06_08_d+htm.html#msg51324

 

[FutureSpaceTourist]

I looked at the picture and thought it was more than a little reminiscent of Thunderbirds and lo and behold the AW article referenced above includes:

 

[Triton]

Note that the artist's impression of this Lockheed Martin concept has no windows. Can we presume that video cameras would relay external views to video monitors, probably LCDs, for the flight crew and passengers? Or did the artist omit this detail?

I also wonder why NASA continues to fund civil SST design projects with the US aircraft industry. Do they expect to provide supersonic transport to economy passengers or first and business class passengers? Or do they expect passengers to pay a speed premium for SST travel above first and business class fares?

I looked at the picture and thought it was more than a little reminiscent of Thunderbirds and lo and behold the AW article referenced above includes:

Though Fireflash was hypersonic, atomic-powered, and much larger than the NASA/Lockheed Martin concept with a lounge built in the wing.

 

[SOC]

I figured it out, the green parts are stolen! ;D You've got the NATF-23's forward fuselage and canard, half of the F-5A's wingtip fuel tanks...yeah, I know, too much time on my hands.

 

[flateric]

higher resolution
http://www.aeronautics.nasa.gov/images/content/nra_awardees_3generations_lg.jpg

 

[Orionblamblam]

higher resolution
http://www.aeronautics.nasa.gov/images/content/nra_awardees_3generations_lg.jpg

Actually, an even higher rez version is available in the link in the first post.

 

[Triton]

Anyone have an idea why there are no windows?

 

[TomS]

A lot of the N+3 renders have no windows -- I'm sure it's just a question of not spending the effort to define windows in an aerodynamics model.

 

[fightingirish]

Artwork from Nick Kaloterakis for Popular Science May 2012
... with windows. :

 

[TomS]

Interestingly, the PopSci image moves the engines from the top to the bottom of the main wing. Now, the NASA press release describes the original design as "an inverted V engine-under wing configuration" but I think they're talking about engines "under" that curved upper airfoil, not engines under the main wing as shown in PopSci. So is the PopSci image via LM or was it made from scratch for PopSci and got the engine placement wrong?

 

[Stargazer]

A lot of the N+3 renders have no windows -- I'm sure it's just a question of not spending the effort to define windows in an aerodynamics model.

Or perhaps it is a way to better influence top brass about the military potential of the concept? A sort of X-30 in reverse.

 

[lippischh]

it reminds me, Dr Alexander Martin Lippisch works on deltas, especially the canard on the first picture.

 

[Triton]

Artwork from Nick Kaloterakis for Popular Science May 2012
... with windows. :

Thank you for the link. I was beginning to wonder if the "Supersonic Green Machine" had video displays and TV cameras rather than windows.

it reminds me, Dr Alexander Martin Lippisch works on deltas, especially the canard on the first picture.

It is also a continuation of Lockheed Martin's research into box-wing aircraft.

 

[TomS]

Are these pics from Lockheed or are they from Nick Kaloterakis and PopSci? I'm asking because I would still like to know if the engines were moved from the top of the wing to he underside by the design team or if this is an error by the artist.

 

[Triton]

Are these pics from Lockheed or are they from Nick Kaloterakis and PopSci? I'm asking because I would still like to know if the engines were moved from the top of the wing to he underside by the design team or if this is an error by the artist.

Nick Kaloterakis

 

[TomS]

Nick Kaloterakis

Thanks. So it looks like he relocated the engines (for aesthetics?). Kinda reinforces how questionable PopSci is as a source of aircraft imagery.

 

[Graham1973]

Part of NASA's N+3 studies of concepts for supersonic commercial aircraft that could enter service in 2030-35.

http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/blogs/defense/index.jsp?plckController=Blog&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&newspaperUserId=27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7&plckPostId=Blog%3a27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7Post%3a9512b314-6106-4f30-a92a-ff45e91fb888&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest

Just tried to look at the blog post and got a "Custom Error" message, what was the title of the Blog post?