Aerion Supersonic Business Jet Market, Environment and Technology HISAC Final Conference Paris, June, 2009 Richard R. Tracy hief Technology Officer Aerion Corporation
Feb 25, 2016
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