Super cruise
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Green and Pleasant Land
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Some ac can 'technically' supercruise, but this is very different to 'useful' supercruise. Some of the older ac mentioned here can (just....) creep past the mach given the right conditions (height, clean, good motors) but can't carry anything much offensive in this state - and turning rather spoils their supersonic day too.
The more modern stuff (some examples mentioned) can usefully supercruise. Some do this by (amongst other things) being less aerodynamically stable than legacy platforms and some do it by having a MASSIVE amount of dry thrust.
Ray :-)
The more modern stuff (some examples mentioned) can usefully supercruise. Some do this by (amongst other things) being less aerodynamically stable than legacy platforms and some do it by having a MASSIVE amount of dry thrust.
Ray :-)
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Australia
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A little bird told me that the Pig can only supercruise in a shallow dive
One of the books on the Pig states that during testing back in the '60s, they got one supersonic at low level over the Nevada desert (so not really low level at all...) without burner - now that I find hard to believe, given the drag rise at about .98 and that they were using an A model.
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Nomadic
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F-111F with P-111+ engines (with CBs IN) can (Could) sustain M1+ in Mil. They needed Min A/B (As a minimum) to get over the hump as there was a noticeable M crit DRAG Hump to overcome (al be it briefly and with ease). The key was Wing sweep/ AoA management. As stated earlier - once you put a -131 pod/or AGM-130/GBU15 Data Link Pod or wing mounted stores on the beast, it would trickle below the number unless AB was engaged.
Dropping Hi Drag Mk 84 AIR's - (a relic of last century) at low level at supersonic speed was almost the most fun to have in aviation...
...and yes you definately needed Afterburner to do that, even in the F-111F.
...must close now - a tear is developing ....
Dropping Hi Drag Mk 84 AIR's - (a relic of last century) at low level at supersonic speed was almost the most fun to have in aviation...
...and yes you definately needed Afterburner to do that, even in the F-111F.
...must close now - a tear is developing ....
Join Date: Aug 2005
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I've heard the Mirage 2000 can, too, but at very little over Mach 1 and it puts a lot of stress on the airframe (being more transonic than supersonic). Is this true?
