SCAMP: Solution of the lossy nonlinear tricomi equation for sonic boom focusing

One of the main objectives for the Superboom Caustic Analysis and Measurement Program (SCAMP) was to provide a suite of codes for focus boom prediction. Another main objective of SCAMP was to acquire measured focus booms from a NASA F-18 that would serve as experimental data to validate the SCAMP focus boom codes and prediction methodology. The Lossy Nonlinear Tricomi Equation (LNTE) was one of the methods included as part of the SCAMP code package. The LNTE is different than previous formulations of the Nonlinear Tricomi Equation because it accounts for atmospheric absorption and dispersion. The background and development of the LNTE and its numerical implementation is presented. For the SCAMP efforts, the LNTE was coupled with PCBoom to obtain the appropriate input parameters and acoustic data required for focus boom prediction. LNTE predictions are compared to the measured flight test data acquired during the SCAMP flight test phase. LNTE predictions, in conjunction with the PCBoom predictions that provide the input data, compare very well with the measured SCAMP flight test data.