3 ms·
But my understanding is that the Concorde was inneficient during takeoff because it was flying slower than the optimal speed dictated by its airframe and engine
by krisoft 3y ago
But my understanding is that the Concorde was inneficient during takeoff because it was flying slower than the optimal speed dictated by its airframe and engines.
Are you proposing to refuel it at cruise speed? If not, one would think that the refueling would use up a lot of fuel in itself.
- jdiez17 3y agoIt was inefficient at takeoff because it was using afterburners to get the thrust needed.
- SonicScrub 3y agoWhich was required due the huge amounts of aerodynamic drag produced by aircraft designed for supersonic flight while flying subsonic. These design are very aerodynamically inefficient outside their cruise speeds, and thus require a lot of thrust. This phase of flight extends all the way from take-off, and climb out. Not just while barreling down the runway. Having an extended subsonic flight period to do a mid-air refuelling would be brutal to the financial viability of a supersonic passenger aircraft. And that's even before we consider the operational costs of the tanker aircraft