aerion supersonic business jet market, environment and technology

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