Aerion

Aerion Corporation
Private
Industry Aerospace
Headquarters Reno, Nevada, United States
Key people
 Robert Bass, Chairman; Brian Barents, Executive Chairman[1]; Tom Vice, President and COO[2]; Dr. Richard R. Tracy, CTO
Products supersonic business jet, natural laminar flow consulting
Website aerionsupersonic.com

Aerion Corporation is an American aircraft manufacturer based in Reno, Nevada.

Projects include the 8-12 passenger AS2 supersonic business jet, with key engineering support provided by the Lockheed Martin. In November 2015 Aerion set a target to achieve FAA certification in 2021 and enter service in 2023, but in November 2017 amended the in-service date to 2025.[3][4]

History

Aerion's first design was the Aerion SBJ concept for a supersonic business jet capable of flight at speeds up to Mach 1.6, while also cruising efficiently just below the speed of sound (Mach .95 to .99) when necessary.[5]

The Aerion SBJ’s key technology, supersonic natural laminar flow, has been demonstrated in small scale transonic wind tunnel tests and in supersonic flight tests conducted in conjunction with NASA. While SBJ discussions continued with selected airframer builders, data from the company-designed calibration fixture aboard a NASA F-15B in the summer of 2010[6] was used in the design of a second test model flown during the first half of 2013.[7] The new test model was designed to provide more laminar flow and be shaped so that boundary layer instabilities grow relatively slowly and smoothly. These characteristics should facilitate good boundary layer imaging of the roughness and step-height experiments performed in next phase. The experiments were intended to influence future laminar flow airfoil manufacturing standards for surface quality and assembly tolerances.[8][9][10][11]

In September 2014, Aerion announced a partnership with Airbus (mainly Airbus Defence)[12] to collaborate on designing the Aerion AS2, an updated replacement for the SBJ design, hoping for a market entry in 2021.[13] The switch from SBJ to AS2 was due to customer demand.[14][15] Aerion intends to finance $3 billion of development, reducing risk for industry partners.[16][17] In May 2017, GE Aviation signed an agreement with Aerion to launch a formal study to define the final engine configuration for the AS2 supersonic business jet.[18] In December 2017, Lockheed joined forces with Aerion to develop the AS2.[19]

Aerion believes that their design will find a market, despite the US ban on supersonic flight, whereas Gulfstream views the ban as prohibitive.[15]

Aerion Technologies Corporation

Increased demand from a variety of aircraft manufacturers for Aerion’s natural laminar flow expertise drove the company to launch Aerion Technologies Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary, in May 2011.[20][21][22] Aerion maintains that the same proprietary technologies and design tools that enable a practical SBJ also have subsonic and transonic applications. During the past 10 years, Aerion has developed extensive NLF test data and methods for optimizing its application to aircraft design, as well as assuring practical manufacturing and operational use. Aerion Technologies’ NLF technology and design tools may help airframer builders push speed and efficiency limits for next-generation civil and military aircraft.[23][24][25]

Leadership

In March 2018, Tom Vice, former president of Northrop Grumman's Aerospace Systems sector, was appointed President and COO[26]. Ernest (Ernie) Edwards, formerly president of Embraer Executive Jets, was appointed Aerion’s chief commercial officer in May 2015. Mike Hinderberger was promoted at that time to senior vice president for aircraft development. Hinderberger had previously served as chief engineer for the Gulfstream G650 program.[27]

References

  1. ↑ "Former Learjet CEO takes on larger role with Aerion Corp". Wichita Business Journal. 26 October 2017. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  2. ↑ "Vice Becomes Aerion President And COO". Aviation Week Network. 23 March 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  3. ↑ "Flexjet to Become First Fleet Customer for Aerion Supersonic Business Jet" (PDF). Aerion. 17 November 2015. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  4. ↑ "Aerion in talks to lift US supersonic flight ban". Corporate Jet Investor. 3 November 2017. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
  5. ↑ Aerion's SBJ enters phase two of development, European Business Air News, 12/1/05
  6. ↑ NBAA: Aerion gets supersonic test results, Flight International, 10/18/10
  7. ↑ Supersonic Laminar Flow Tests Continue on NASA's F-15B, NASA, 05/22/13
  8. ↑ Aerion Steps Up Testing for Supersonic Business Jet, Aviation International News, 05/14/12
  9. ↑ Second Set of SBLT Tests Planned on NASA's F-15B, NASA, 05/15/12
  10. ↑ Aerion Tests Further Efforts to Develop Supersonic Bizjet, Aviation International News, 10/29/12
  11. ↑ Aerion makes progress on supersonic business jet, Wichita Eagle, 12/21/12 Archived 2013-01-03 at the Wayback Machine.
  12. ↑ "Airbus Group teams up with Aerion" Leeham Co, 23 September 2014. Accessed: 26 September 2014.
  13. ↑ Van Wagenen, Juliet. "Airbus and Aerion Collaborate to Develop Supersonic Business Jet, High-Performance Flight" Aviation Today, 22 September 2014. Accessed: 24 September 2014.
  14. ↑ "Aerion unveils larger, three engine supersonic business jet tailored to emerging global demand Archived January 19, 2015, at the Wayback Machine." Aerion, 19 May 2014. Accessed: 26 September 2014.
  15. 1 2 McMillin, Molly. "Need for speed drives efforts for supersonic business jet" The Wichita Eagle. Accessed: 28 September 2014.
  16. ↑ McMillin, Molly. "Aerion Makes Design Changes In Supersonic Business Jet" The Wichita Eagle, 29 May 2014. Accessed: 26 September 2014.
  17. ↑ Jeffrey, Colin. "Aerion's AS2 supersonic business jet gets extra engine and cabin space" GizMag, 20 May 2014. Accessed: 26 September 2014.
  18. ↑ "Aerion Selects GE For AS2 Engine Definition Study". AIN Online. 23 May 2017. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  19. ↑ "Planned supersonic business jet gets a lift from Lockheed Martin". The Seattle Times. 23 May 2017. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  20. ↑ Want Laminar Flow? Talk to Aerion, Aviation Week, 5/16/11
  21. ↑ Aerion to subsonic set: Go with the (natural laminar) flow, Aviation International News, 5/17/11
  22. ↑ EBACE: Aerion seeks fresh revenue stream, Flight International, 5/16/11
  23. ↑ Aerion’s tech subsidiary brings laminar flow to subsonics, Aviation International News, 10/10/11
  24. ↑ NBAA: Aerion goes with laminar flow, Flight International, 10/11/11
  25. ↑ NBAA: Aerion talks up transonic options as F-15 tests resume, Flight International, 10/29/12
  26. ↑ "Vice Becomes Aerion President And COO". Aviation Week Network. 23 March 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  27. ↑ "Aerion announces promotions and new senior staff positions". www.sps-aviation.com. Retrieved 2018-05-25.
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