Mission Requirements and Design Options for a Supersonic Air Medical Transport Aircraft

This session examines mission requirements and design options for a proposed dedicated supersonic air medical transport aircraft. It commences with a discussion of the value of speed, and concomitantly, high altitude, in the context of a multimodal medical air transport system. Operational efficiency is maximized by ensuring flexibility of operational parameters (for example, minimizing takeoff and landing distance, minimizing noise, and efficiently flying the backhaul.) This requirement stands in sharp contrast to those governing proposed large transoceanic supersonic transports. Consequently, one can expect the supersonic air medical transport to rely on different vehicle technologies. We must consider the integration of advanced medical technologies (such as telemedicine) into the cabin and finding space for necessary equipment in the challenging geometry of the supersonic cabin. Finally, we address the benefits to mission safety and patient outcomes as a consequence of the aircraft's expanded flight envelope, allowing weather and turbulence avoidance, and the beneficial effect of missions of shorter duration.