Yliäänilentäminen

Yliäänilentäminen refers to flight at speeds exceeding the speed of sound. The speed of sound is not constant and varies with temperature, pressure, and humidity of the air. A common reference point is Mach 1, which is approximately 343 meters per second (1,235 kilometers per hour) at sea level and 15 degrees Celsius. Flight above Mach 1 is considered supersonic, while flight between Mach 0.8 and Mach 1 is transonic. Flight below Mach 0.8 is subsonic.

Supersonic flight presents unique aerodynamic challenges. As an aircraft approaches and exceeds the speed of sound, shock waves form, which can cause a significant increase in drag and changes in airflow. This phenomenon is known as wave drag. Aircraft designed for supersonic flight typically have swept wings, sharp leading edges, and a slender fuselage to minimize these effects and maintain stability.

The first aircraft to break the sound barrier in level flight was the Bell X-1 piloted by Chuck Yeager on October 14, 1947. Since then, supersonic technology has been developed for military aircraft, and also for some civilian passenger jets, though the latter have largely been phased out due to noise pollution and economic factors. The sonic boom, a shock wave that propagates from a supersonic aircraft, is a characteristic feature of supersonic flight.

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