What is the Mach range for supersonic flight?

The Mach range for supersonic flight begins at Mach 1.0, which is the speed of sound, and extends beyond it. Specifically, supersonic flight is typically defined as speeds greater than Mach 1.0, reaching up to about Mach 5.0. This range includes a variety of flight regimes, characterized as:

• Transonic (around Mach 1.0),

• Supersonic (from Mach 1.0 to Mach 5.0), where aircraft can travel faster than sound, leading to phenomena such as shock waves,

• Hypersonic (Mach 5.0 and above), which is significantly faster than supersonic speeds and has its own unique aerodynamic effects.

The correct answer emphasizes that supersonic flight spans from just over the speed of sound to five times that speed, capturing the critical range needed for high-velocity aircraft and missile technologies. Other options represent either subsonic ranges (below Mach 1.0) or hypersonic parameters (above Mach 5.0), which are outside the definition for supersonic flight.