Don't panic! Air Force manoeuvres may cause sonic booms

Lorca town hall advises the public to keep calm and carry on

There is no need to be alarmed if you hear some very loud noises next week, the Spanish Air and Space Force will be on manoeuvres in the area of south-west Murcia.

Lorca town hall has informed the public that this will include fighter jets flying faster than the speed of sound, which may generate the odd “sonic boom” that can be heard from the ground.

A sonic boom's audible range, known as the "carpet", is approximately one mile wide for every 1,000 feet of altitude the aircraft flies, so they might also be heard further afield.

The size, shape, and speed of the aircraft also affect the intensity and spread of the shockwave, and atmospheric conditions (temperature, air pressure, and other weather conditions) can influence how sound waves travel and refract too.

These manoeuvres will be taking place between September 22 and October 2 (not including the weekend), and supersonic flights have been authorised between 3.30pm and 5.50pm on these days.

Lorca town hall noted that mitigation measures have been put into place and manoeuvres of this kind are subject to limitations anyway.

These manoeuvres are part of Albacete Air Base’s Tactical Leadership Programme (TPL), which includes missions using air defence radars and will also involve deployment of trucks and all-terrain vehicles.

The TPL has informed all the relevant authorities, as well as the owners of land which will be affected, who have given their permission for it to be used.

All existing environmental laws will be complied with and the area will be kept in perfect condition, the TPL assures.

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Image: Ayuntamiento de Lorca