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October 15, 2002

Northrop Grumman has designed its entry into the DARPA contest for a Quiet Supersonic Program. This will be a supersonic bomber able to cruise at Mach-2, fly 6,000 miles without refueling, and carry a dozen or more JDAM bombs. It will be 156 feet long with a wingspan of 58 feet. The leading edge of the wing will be able to change shape to provide the required lift at low altitude and the required speed at high altitude. With a relatively quiet "sonic boom" it would have no legal problems flying over US or friendly civilized territory. The goal is an aircraft that can do the job of a B-2 bomber but fly three times as fast.--Stephen V Cole