Aerion Supersonic Business JetMarket, Environment and Technology
HISAC Final ConferenceParis, June, 2009
Richard R. TracyChief Technology Officer
Aerion Corporation
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Supersonic Dichotomy
• Two approaches to civil supersonic flight have emerged since the Concorde.
• Low sonic boom is the goal of most programs, with increased range secondary
• Maximum range and flexibility is Aerion’s focus, with no compromise for boom reduction
• HISAC stimulates a comparative assessment of the problems and benefits of both approaches
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Market Issue
• Value of flying supersonic over populated areas,
versus…
• Weight and cost increase, along with adverse “green” impact
• Route restrictions to corridors, and “superboom” avoidance
• Delayed availability by five to ten years
• Uncertainty whether low boom will be approved
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Aerion Goals
• “Uncompromised” supersonic cruise efficiency
• Strong emphasis on subsonic performance
• Current production engine and systems
• Practical, operationally flexible aircraft
• Low business and technological risk
• First to market
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Traditional Approach
• Delta Wing– Least supersonic lift-related drag– High sweep, short span and ineffective flaps
• Result– Longer runways and high angle of attack– Less efficient subsonic cruise
Aerion’s Approach
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Laminar Wing Concept
Unswept(laminar)
Delta(turbulent)
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Laminar Wing Advantages:The Virtuous Cycle
NLF
Low Drag Airframe
Less Thrust
Required
Smaller Engine
Lower Fuel Burn
• Lower drag requires…• Less thrust, allowing…• Smaller engine and• Less fuel
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Laminar Wing Advantages
• Supersonic cruise efficiency• Subsonic cruise efficiency• Good low speed performance• Flat approach attitude
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Laminar Flow Validation
• F-15 flight test at NASA Dryden• Demonstrated SSNLF to >10
million– Test article full chord
• NLF test at ETW• Demonstrated SSNLF to 30 million
– Test article full chord– Aerodynamic full scale– Level required for Aerion performance
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Sonic Boom: Considerations• Current
– FAA: prohibits Mach 1 or greater over U.S.A.– ICAO: “No unacceptable situation on the ground”
• Aerion complies with existing regulations– Efficient below Mach 1 over US– No boom at ~Mach 1.15 elsewhere
Shock Wave
Reflected Wave
Evanescent Wave
5000 ft
Ground
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Sonic Boom:Different Approaches
• Low Boom– Market appeal ?– Increase weight and fuel– Regulation changes
• High Performance (No Boom)– Maximize cruise efficiency– Meet all current regulations– Supersonic “boom cutoff” potential
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Supersonic Overland:NY-LA Mission
TEB – LAX 41kt headwind
G-V at M=0.85: 5:00Aerion at M=0.98: 4:19 Aerion at M=1.10: 3:52
New York
Los Angeles
Design Overview
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ConfigurationOVERALL WEIGHTS LB KGTOGW 90,000 40,800BOW 45,100 20,500MAX FUEL 45,400 20,600
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P&W JT8D-219 Engine
• Existing certified commercial engine– MD-80 series aircraft
• Mature and reliable• Improvements to meet latest
emission standards • Noise-compliant • Fuel efficient• Aerion low drag airframe is a unique
fit for the JT8D
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Major Systems
ECS
Avionics &Fly-By-Wire
Flight Control Systems
Fuel Tanks
Fuel Tank
Engines APU
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Interior
Performance
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Range
RANGE - NBAA IFR RESERVES4 Passengers
200022002400260028003000320034003600380040004200440046004800
0.80 0.90 1.00 1.10 1.20 1.30 1.40 1.50 1.60 1.70
Cruise Mach
IFR
Ran
ge -
NM
High Speed CruiseSubsonic Cruise
Boom Cutoff Cruise
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Economics
$- $2.00 $4.00 $6.00 $8.00 $10.00 $12.00 $14.00 $16.00
Falcon 900EXChallenger 605
Gulfstream G450Gulfstream G550
Global Express XRSAerion Supersonic (1.5)Aerion Subsonic (0.95)
BBJACJ
Fixed Direct
Operating Expense per NM, 550 hrs/yr Utilization *
* Data from Business & Commercial Aviation 2006 Operations Planning Guide
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Conclusions
• Aerion SSBJ offers economics, operating characteristics and flexibility on a par with subsonic aircraft
• Maximum efficiency sub- and supersonic cruise results from NLF wing and no compromise for low boom
• Compliance with existing regulations reduces program risk
• First to market
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Conclusions
• Minimum SSBJ environmental impact :
NLF
Low Drag Airframe
Less Required
Thrust
Smaller Engine
Lower Fuel BurnSSBJ
Lowest Environmental
impact
No BoomOverland
Flight
Aerion Supersonic Business Jet
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