Overview of sonic boom theory, prediction and minimization methods for supersonic civil aircraft

It is very difficult to achieve sonic boom with an enough low level because there are several design goals with inherent contradictions. Consequently, it is necessary to develop rapid and efficient design methods. There are very few theory or methods about the prediction of sonic boom in the concept design of supersonic civil aircraft, while the standard sonic boom theory and sonic boom minimization methods are the fundamentals and very valuable in applications, especially in the concept design. The review on those theories and outlooking are given in this paper for us to get full knowledge and deep discern about them. The F function of the standard sonic boom theory build the bridge for the acoustic pressure or sonic boom and the cross-section area of the aircraft. The sonic boom minimization methods provide a roadmap to approach the minimum boom by the design of the F function. Note the capacities of applications of the sonic boom minimization methods are constrained by the initial configuration. As the goal of sonic boom level cannot be met via the sonic boom minimization methods, the major modifications of the initial configuration have to be made in the design. Other innovative methods of boom reduction need to be developed except sonic boom minimization method.