Discussions Under Way With Potential Partners

Aerion is pursuing a two-track program in its efforts to bring supersonic flight back to the commercial sector. Engineers continue to refine and test the design, and have provided greater detail in technical briefings to potential partners.

Meanwhile, the company continues to build its business case, providing a more detailed financial picture of the costs, risks and rewards involved in program participation.

Business update

The company has held talks with major aerospace firms as well as government agencies on three continents. Discussions are ongoing, and much will hinge on the refined business case presented by Aerion, and on the available financial resources and strategic objectives of potential partners.

Potential partners have expressed great interest in the concept of supersonic laminar flow and the patented technology developed by Aerion in this area, viewing it as a key enabling technology for the development of an efficient supersonic aircraft.

As Aerion continues to build its team, it has hired James Stewart as chief financial officer. Stewart was formerly chief financial officer at Bombardier Aerospace and has extensive experience in establishing the financial case for new aircraft development programs. The company projects a five-year program from the launch of the detailed design effort to certification.

"We anticipate discussions to continue into 2007, with the expectation that we will reach agreement with major project partners in the coming year," said Brian Barents(pictured, right) , vice chairman of Aerion.

Technical update

Configuration optimization: While performance and size parameters of the aircraft have changed little in the last year, optimization continues on such complex areas as engine inlets and exhaust nozzles, as well as the nacelle/airframe integration. In particular, the aft fuselage and nacelle external lines are being computationally optimized for drag in the presence of the hot exhaust flow. Tail size and geometry are also the subject of optimization in conjunction with computational stability and control evaluations based on previous wind tunnel tests. The net result of this work is to improve the Aerion jet's supersonic and transonic range performance. 

Noise analysis: Aerion is using noise reduction technology developed by Pratt & Whitney and more recently by Aviation Fleet Solutions, which has certified the JT8D-219 to Stage 4/Chapter 4 on the MD-80 series. Joint studies with Pratt & Whitney and Aviation Fleet Solutions indicate that the Aerion supersonic business jet's noise levels will be well within Stage 4/Chapter 4 limits.

Systems: Aerion is working with several vendors to develop systems architecture for fuel, electrical and hydraulic power distribution, flight controls, pressurization, environmental controls, anti-icing and landing gear.

Icing: Icing of the thin wing leading edge has been evaluated at the Cox and Company icing tunnel in Manhattan, New York. This test evaluated ice buildup on the wing outboard of the strakes under the worst case icing conditions. The tests indicated that icing does not have a significant effect on the Aerion wing and tail surfaces. Other portions of the aircraft (for example, nose, engine inlets and strakes) will require conventional anti-icing systems.

Structures: Work continues to optimize wing thickness-to-chord ratio for strength and aeroelastic performance. Sophisticated proprietary computational models are being used in this effort. This study includes a high-order flutter analysis, which continues to show adequate flutter margin at wing weight within the overall weight predictions.

Aerodynamic testing: The company is continuing its program of rocket sled testing for analyzing full-scale aerodynamic effects. Three test runs have been made to develop test equipment and techniques, the last up to Mach 1.5 and full-scale aerodynamic conditions (Reynolds numbers). Rocket sled testing has potential advantages over wind tunnel testing. Tests to date have shown laminar flow consistent with earlier F-15 flight tests at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center. The rocket sled tests have satisfied Aerion's goals in terms of speed, mechanical strength and pressure-vibration instrumentation capability. However, the sophisticated laser-tracked infra-red (IR) video system that is key to monitoring transient surface temperature of the test wing has been affected by the high level of heat radiation from the 30 "Super Zuni" rockets used for acceleration to Mach 1. Understanding and resolving this problem is ongoing. Aerion may elect to use additional methods of aerodynamic validation.

Cockpit development: Aerion has constructed an engineering mockup of the cockpit to test physical clearances, equipment layout and pilot comfort.

Certification: FAA headquarters officials were briefed on the Aerion program. They were pleasantly surprised by the Aerion jet's ability to operate within current FAA and ICAO rules. They expressed confidence that airspace issues would not pose problems for the aircraft. Follow-up meetings are planned.

"The aerospace community is seeing the seriousness with which we are pursuing this program, and continues to express high interest as we flesh out the details," said Barents. "The Aerion board has funded the program through launch with external partners, and we expect that to occur before the next NBAA convention."

FMI: www.aerioncorp.com