Aerion SBJ

SBJ
Role Supersonic business jet
National origin United States
Manufacturer Aerion Corporation
Status development
Unit cost
US$80 million (target cost)
Developed into Aerion AS2

The Aerion SBJ was a concept for a supersonic business jet, designed by Aerion Corporation, an American aerospace firm based in Reno, Nevada. If produced, it would allow practical non-stop travel from Europe to North America and back within one business day. The target price is $80 million (in 2007 year dollars), with development costs ranging from $2.5 to $3.0 billion. ExecuJet of Switzerland and Indigo Lyon are the firm's sales agents worldwide, with the exception of North America.[1] The company claims 50 letters-of-intent from customers,[2] each with a $250,000 deposit.[3] Entry into service was expected to take place around 2017/18 following the formation of a joint venture and "hard launch" decision;[4][5] however, as of November 2013, the company has stated that it expects flight testing to begin in 2019 and that the first aircraft will reach the market in 2021.[6]

In 2014, the design was updated as the Aerion AS2, with length and takeoff weight increased to accommodate customer requests.[7][8]

Design

Aerion SBJ Model

The Aerion SBJ’s key enabling technology, supersonic natural laminar flow, has been conclusively demonstrated in transonic wind tunnel tests and in supersonic flight tests conducted in conjunction with NASA. While SBJ discussions continue with selected airframers, data from the Aerion-designed calibration fixture aboard a NASA F-15B in the summer of 2010[9] was used to guide the design of a second test surface flown during the first half of 2013.[10] The new test surface was designed to provide large extents of laminar flow and be shaped so 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.[11][12][13][14]

Specifications (SBJ)

Silhouette of Aerion SBJ concept

Aerion claims the jet will have a cruise speed of Mach 1.6 and a landing speed of 120 knots.[15]

General characteristics

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 1,030 knots (Mach 1.8, 1,186 mph, 1,909 km/h)
  • Cruise speed: 966 knots (Mach 1.7, 1,112 mph, 1,790 km/h)
  • Range:
    • At Mach 0.95: 4,600 nm (5,300 mi, 8,500 km)
    • At Mach 1.40: 4,200 nm (4,800 mi, 7,800 km)
  • Service ceiling: 51,000 ft (15,500 m)

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

Related lists

References

  1. ↑ Indigo Lyon Selected as Sales Representative for Aerion SBJ, BARTIntl, 2012-03-14, archived from the original on 2013-11-13, retrieved 2012-04-06 .
  2. ↑ Doyle, Andrew. "NBAA: Aerion gets supersonic test results". Archived from the original on 1 November 2010. Retrieved 2010-10-18.
  3. ↑ Update report (press releases), Aerion .
  4. ↑ Pawlowski, A (18 June 2009), "Supersonic travel may return, minus boom", CNN .
  5. ↑ "Aerion SBJ", Flying Magazine, 2010-10-21 .
  6. ↑ Martin, Grant. "The World's First Supersonic Business Jet Will Reach The Market In 2021". Forbes. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
  7. ↑ Jim Moore (September 2014). "Breaking Barriers". AOPA Pilot.
  8. ↑ Chad Trautvetter. "Aerion SSBJ Now a Trijet with Bigger Cabin, More Range; Aviation International News". Ainonline.com. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  9. ↑ "NBAA: Aerion gets supersonic test results", Flight International, 2010-10-18 .
  10. ↑ Supersonic Laminar Flow Tests Continue on NASA's F-15B, Dryden: NASA, 2013-05-22 .
  11. ↑ "Aerion Steps Up Testing for Supersonic Business Jet", Aviation International News, 2012-05-14 .
  12. ↑ Second Set of SBLT Tests Planned on NASA's F-15B, US: NASA, 2012-05-15 .
  13. ↑ "Aerion Tests Further Efforts to Develop Supersonic Bizjet", Aviation International News, 2012-10-29 .
  14. ↑ "Aerion makes progress on supersonic business jet", The Wichita Eagle, 2012-12-21, archived from the original on 2013-01-03 .
  15. ↑ Specifications, Aerion, archived from the original on 2012-07-22 .Archive
  • Aerion official site
  • "Aerion Accepts LOIs For Supersonic Business Jet", Aviation week .
  • "Aerion Pushes Business Case for SBJ", Aviation Week & Space Technology .
  • "Aerion SBJ", Aviation News Magazine (excerpt), archived from the original on 2008-07-09 .
  • "Supersonic business jet still in demand", Flight global, 2009-11-18 .
  • Aerion Makes Design Changes In Supersonic Business Jet Archive
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