Next generation supersonic transports (SST) should have not only better aircraft performances but also less environmental impacts including sonic boom, emissions, and engine noise. With an increasing concern over the environmental and energy problems, alternative fuels have risen in significance. In this context, the authors have conducted a conceptual design study on LH2-fueled SST. In order to obtain a solution which has better aircraft performances and less environmental impacts, airframe and propulsion system integration is needed. By using our conceptual design environment, a global analysis on LH2-fueled SSTs has been conducted in comparison to kerosene SSTs. The result of the global analysis has shown that the optimum cruise altitude of LH2 SSTs is higher than kerosene SSTs. In addition, one of the active constraints which determine the feasible design space is climb capability at cruise altitude. Then, suggestions have been made for improving the feasibility.
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