Expert: Mark Janus - 7/24/2011

Question
QUESTION: Plz just tell me what is super cruise in fighter jets.

ANSWER: Super cruise is sustained supersonic flight with a useful load without afterburner...

mj

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Well can u plz tell me if there are any areas regarding super cruise on which research is going on or can be done.
Thanx

Answer
Nothing comes to mind specifically....  to achieve super cruise performance, integrating the load (stores) of a fighter has meant storing in cavities such as to reduce the configuration drag...  this also aids in stealth...  deploying the weapons then becomes the "problem" as often the store does not separate (easily) from the aircraft....
also, the thrust of the engines and having a well designed inlet (for supersonic performance) is a key to achieving super cruise..

Those are general areas that continue to be researched and are associated with super cruise..

mj