Überschall

Überschall is a term used in physics, aerodynamics and aviation to describe speeds above the speed of sound in air. It denotes a regime where the Mach number, a dimensionless ratio of the object's speed to the local speed of sound, is greater than 1. Since the speed of sound varies with temperature, altitude and air composition, Überschall does not correspond to a single fixed speed but to a range of speeds past this threshold. The related term Überschallgeschwindigkeit refers to speeds in this regime.

At Überschall speeds, airflow around a moving body develops shock waves, causing abrupt changes in pressure and temperature. This results in phenomena such as wave drag and, when the disturbance reaches the ground, sonic booms. The physics of Überschall flight also affects stability, control, and thermal loading on airframes, leading to specialized design considerations for handling shock waves and heat.

Historically, the first controlled Überschall flight occurred on 14 October 1947, when Chuck Yeager piloting the Bell X-1 exceeded Mach 1. Since then, military aircraft routinely operate in or through the Überschall regime, and a few civilian designs (notably the Concorde and the Tu-144) achieved sustained supersonic cruise in the past. Modern research continues in high-speed propulsion, aerodynamics, and potential future supersonic or near-supersonic transport concepts, aiming to improve efficiency, reduce noise, and address environmental concerns.

See also Mach number; sonic boom; sound barrier; hypersonic (Mach 5 and above).