DARPA, Northrop Grumman, NASA to Brief Media on Results Achieved in Supersonic Boom Reduction Demo 8/28/2003
From: Gus Gulmert of Northrop Grumman Corporation, 703-875-8450 News Advisory: WHAT: Media Briefing WHEN: 9 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 3 WHERE: National Press Club - First Amendment Lounge, 529 14th Street NW, Washington, D.C. In an aviation first, a government-industry team has shown that modifying an aircraft's shape can reduce the intensity of its sonic boom, a technological breakthrough that could usher in a new era of supersonic flight. The results were achieved in test flights conducted in California last week as part of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's (DARPA) Quiet Supersonic Platform (QSP) program. This theory had never been demonstrated in actual flight and could have broad implications for future military and civilian aircraft. At the National Press Club, government-industry team representatives will provide the first detailed discussion of this milestone and its potential impacts. Planned speakers include: Dr. Stephen Walker, QSP program manager, DARPA Charles Boccadoro, QSP program manager, Northrop Grumman Peter Coen, manager, Supersonic Vehicles Technology, NASA Aerospace Vehicle Systems Technology Program Office A continental breakfast will be served at 8:30 a.m. The press briefing starts promptly at 9 a.m. RSVP (with name and publication): Close of business Tuesday, Sept. 2, Gus Gulmert, manager, Corporate & International Communications, Northrop Grumman Corporation, 703-875-8450 or by fax, 703-243-3190 or e-mail gus.gulmert@ngc.com DIRECTIONS TO THE NATIONAL PRESS CLUB (NPC) From the Metro: Take the Metro Rail to Metro Center Station, Take 13th Street Exit - go up the escalator, Turn left on 13th Street & walk one block to F Street, Turn right & walk one block to 14th Street, Turn left & enter NPC Building - go to the 13th floor From the South: Take 95 North to I-395 North, Follow signs to 14th Street & exit onto 14th Street, Pass the Bureau of Engraving & Printing & the Washington Monument, Cross Pennsylvania Avenue. The NPC is on the right next door to the J.W. Marriott Hotel at the corner of 14th & F Streets From the North: Take 95 South to the Baltimore Washington Parkway - South, Exit at New York Avenue (Route 30), Follow New York Avenue to 14th Street NW and turn left, The NPC Building is at the corner of 14th and F Streets |