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New Biplane Design Seeks Supersonic Speeds

** Conceptual drawing of a supersonic biplane
based on an original drawing courtesy of
Obayashi laboratory, Tohoku University**
Christine Daniloff/MIT News
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • MIT researcher Qiqi Wang has developed an optimized supersonic biplane design, building on Adolf Busemann's original concept.
  • This new design significantly reduces drag and fuel consumption (potentially by half compared to past aircraft like Concorde), while also mitigating sonic boom.
  • The breakthrough aims to enable a resurgence of more efficient and quieter supersonic air travel.
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The supersonic aircraft of the future could look quite different from that of designs past, if the recent findings of one MIT researcher and his colleagues hold true.

Assistant professor of aeronautics and astronautics Qiqi Wang has developed a supersonic biplane design that he says could reduce drag and consequently fuel consumption and sonic boom, providing the potential for a new breed of aircraft to carry on the dream of supersonic travel where Concorde left off.

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