Tue, Jan 18, 2011
Among the doldrums that dominate the BizAv sector these days,
its hard to get folks to look to the future... and by the time that
the economy starts improving, we have a feeling that the industry
will have a heckuva job catching up to the potential of a renewed
market ready to do business. UNLESS... you happen to be Aerion.
Aerion is an intriguing and forward-thinking company formed for
the purpose of developing and commercializing a fundamental
breakthrough in supersonic transportation, i.e, a SuperSonic
Business Jet. Aerion has already earned patents on several concepts
related to supersonic aerodynamics and structures, including
patents on its supersonic natural laminar flow wing design.
These folks seem up to the task... Prior to the formation of
Aerion, its founders received several DARPA contracts for
supersonic laminar flow wing studies, as well as research and test
flights. This group also participated in DARPA’s Quiet
Supersonic Platform Program. A team of closely affiliated firms,
including Pratt & Whitney, provide engineering design and
analysis support in the following areas: aerodynamics, structures,
systems, propulsion, stability and control, and aeroelasticity.
The Aerion jet will be fuel efficient at cruise speeds just
below the speed of sound, allowing it to perform short- and
long-haul overland missions with the same economies as
today’s large business jets. Range at high subsonic speed is
more than 4500 nm and range at supersonic speeds exceeds 4000
nm.
Over certain national or regional corridors, including parts of
Canada, Australia and Siberia, the aircraft can fly at unrestricted
speeds up to its maximum speed of Mach 1.6. And in other regions
governed by ICAO regulations, the aircraft is capable of operating
at boomless cruise speeds up to Mach 1.15. The Aerion can cruise
efficiently, however, at speeds from .95 to .99 Mach over the
continental US, where speeds are limited by regulation to less than
Mach.
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