X-Ichos: Designing and Simulating a Low-Boom Supersonic Commercial Airliner Using CFD and Mathematical Modeling

Quiet supersonic commercial travel has long been an elusive goal. While the Concorde aimed to be commercially viable and the X-59 demonstrated low-boom supersonic flight, neither aircraft could simultaneously achieve both characteristics. With our prototype, the X-Ichos, we attempted to combine these qualities into a commercially viable supersonic aircraft. We modeled the X-Ichos in OnShape, our primary CAD software, with iterative aerodynamic refinements informed by both computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and analytical results. We conducted comparative CFD analyses of the X-59 and X-Ichos using SimFlow and OpenFOAM with conditions set to Mach 1.43 and 20,000 meters altitude to simulate aerodynamics and shockwave formation. To validate these simulations, we used complementary analytical modeling in Python and MATLAB; this included Reynolds number analysis for confirming flow regimes, exponential decay equations on pressure for determining near-field shockwave behavior, and the Burgers’ Equation for predicting shockwave propagation to the ground. These simulations and analyses on the X-59 allowed us to determine that its frequency distributions, shock signatures, and pressure profiles were within comparatively tolerable limits of ground-level perception. However, preliminary testing on the X-Ichos suggested a higher initial pressure and a steeper decay than the X-59, thus implying a longer-lasting acoustic footprint. This led us to conclude that while the X-59 meets noise-reduction goals, the X-Ichos requires further refinement to minimize boom intensity; the larger fuselage likely contributes to the heightened pressure. Future research includes further prototype testing in CFD, smoothing the transition from subsonic to supersonic speeds, and implementing better radiation protection for pilots and passengers.