Seeks To Attract Launch Partners, Customers At Le Bourget

Aerion engineers tell ANN the company continues to fine tune various aspects of the design for its planned supersonic business jet, and to add detail to systems architecture.

"We are very pleased with the technical progress we have made over the past three years and the increasing maturity of the design," noted Aerion Vice Chairman Brian Barents. "The test data and level of detail we are able to show prospective partners has certainly helped to advance our discussions with them."

Aerion officials note the program has progressed over the past six months in several areas, including a reshaping of the forward fuselage to accomodate a larger cabin. Engine reliability, operability and noise have also received intense attention by a joint team of Pratt & Whitney and Aerion engineers.

To combat noise issues inherent with an SST, Aerion has refined its inlet and nozzle designs to the point of readiness for a series of sub-scale noise and performance validation tests. The Pratt & Whitney JT8D-219 engine that will power the Aerion jet has been selected for the US Air Force JSTARS program, ensuring long-term production availability.

The aft fuselage has been lengthened and the tail surface area reduced, providing improved take-off performance, reduced weight and lower cruising drag.

To attract potential customers and launch partners, Aerion is conducting business from its own chalet for the first time at the Paris Air Show. The company continues to project a five year certification program from program launch.

Under that timeframe, supersonic business jets could be in service by 2013.

FMI: www.aerioncorp.com