Objective
The sonic boom issue could be a show stopper for the Supersonic Commercial Transport program: as sonic boom will probably restrict supersonic exploitation above the sea, it may impair the project profitability if supersonic flights are rejected too far away from coasts. SOBER objective is to provide the decision tool for determining acceptable operating routes, based on the modelling of specific booms that may arouse protests near coasts, islands or animal colonies. This tool includes focused sonic boom due to acceleration, shadow zone with influence of ground or sea-surface absorption and atmospheric turbulence, secondary boom and influence of meteorological variability. Objectives will be achieved through advanced physical and numerical modelling, validated by innovative laboratory-scale simulation and complemented by statistical analysis for preparing exploitation.