Engineering:Aerion SBJ

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Short description: Supersonic business jet project
SBJ
Aerion SBJ.jpg
Role Supersonic business jet
National origin United States
Designer Aerion Corporation
Status Cancelled
Developed into Aerion AS2

The Aerion SBJ was a supersonic business jet project designed by United States firm Aerion Corporation. Unveiled in 2004, the designer sought a joint venture with a business aircraft manufacturer for a $1.2–1.4 billion development in 7–8 years. Aerion received 50 letters-of-intent before enlarging the design as the Aerion AS2 in 2014. Powered by two Pratt & Whitney JT8D-219 engines, the $80 million aircraft was to transport 8–12 passengers up to Mach 1.6 and up to 4,000 nmi (7,400 km).

Aerion abruptly announced on May 21, 2021 that it will be shutting down due to inability to raise capital.[1]

Development

In 2003, Aerion commenced a search for a large aerospace partner, including Bombardier Aerospace and Dassault Aviation.[2] The SBJ project was unveiled at the 2004 NBAA convention, backed by US billionaire Robert Bass, with introduction targeted at 2011 for a $1.2–1.4 billion development cost, anticipating a 250–300 aircraft civil market over 10 years. Aerion then planned wind tunnel testing in the second half of 2005, before partnerships and detailed design.[3] Global Express lead designer John Holding joined Aerion in 2008 to lead advanced design.[2]

Each customer put a $250,000 deposit.[4] By 2010, the company claimed 50 letters-of-intent.[5] By then, Aerion sought a joint venture with a business aircraft manufacturer for deliveries five to six years later.[6]

In March 2012, UK-based Indigo Lyon joined Swiss ExecuJet Aviation Group as sales agents outside North America.[7] By October 2013, the company expected flight testing to begin in 2019, to reach market in 2021.[8] Aerion believes that their design will find a market, despite the US ban on supersonic flight, whereas Gulfstream views the ban as prohibitive.[9] In 2014, the design was updated as the Aerion AS2, with length and takeoff weight increased to accommodate customer requests.[10]

Design

Aerion SBJ Model

The $80 million aircraft would transport 8–12 passengers up to Mach 1.6 and up to 4,000 nmi (7,400 km). It would have a conventional aluminium fuselage and a composite supersonic natural laminar flow wing, with existing Pratt & Whitney JT8D-219 engine for a 40,800 kg (90,000 lb) gross-weight.[3] When necessary, it could also cruise efficiently just below the speed of sound at Mach .95-.99.[11] If produced, it would allow practical non-stop travel from Europe to North America and back within one business day. 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.

In the summer of 2010, an Aerion-designed calibration fixture was tested aboard a NASA F-15B.[12] The experiments were intended to influence future laminar flow airfoil manufacturing standards for surface quality and assembly tolerances.[13][14][15][16] A second test surface was flown during the first half of 2013, its design guided by the 2010 test.[17] 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.

Specifications (SBJ)

Silhouette of Aerion SBJ concept

Data from Aerion[18]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Capacity: up to 12 passengers
  • Length: 148.3 ft (45.2 m)
  • Wingspan: 64.2 ft (19.6 m)
  • Height: 23.3 ft (7.1 m)
  • Wing area: 1,200 sq ft (110 m2)
  • Aspect ratio: 3.4
  • Empty weight: 45,100 lb (20,457 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 90,000 lb (40,823 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 45,400
  • Cabin length × height × width: 30 ft × 6.2 ft × 6.5 ft (9.1 m × 1.9 m × 2.0 m)
  • Powerplant: 2 × P&W JT8D-200 series turbofan, 19,600 lbf (87 kN) thrust each

Performance

  • Maximum speed: Mach 1.6
  • Minimum control speed: 140 mph (220 km/h, 120 kn) Approach speed
  • Range: 4,800 mi (7,800 km, 4,200 nmi) at Mach 1.4
  • Service ceiling: 51,000 ft (16,000 m)
  • Wing loading: 75 lb/sq ft (370 kg/m2)
  • Thrust/weight: 0.44
  • Takeoff (BFL): 6,000 ft (1,800 m)
  • Landing (wet): 3,460 ft (1,050 m)

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

Related lists

References

  1. ↑ Sheetz, Michael (2021-05-21). "Aerion Supersonic shuts down, ending plans to build silent high speed business jets" (in en). https://www.cnbc.com/2021/05/21/aerion-supersonic-shuts-down-ending-plans-for-silent-business-jets.html. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Graham Warwick (Feb 8, 2019). "Boeing's Aerion Investment Brings Supersonic Air Travel A Step Closer". Aviation Week & Space Technology. http://aviationweek.com/future-aerospace/boeing-s-aerion-investment-brings-supersonic-air-travel-step-closer. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "NBAA 2004 - Las Vegas witnesses birth of supersonic gamble". 19 Oct 2004. https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/nbaa-2004-las-vegas-witnesses-birth-of-supersonic-188921/. 
  4. ↑ "Middle East Operators Will be Among First to Fly Supersonically" (PDF) (Press release). Aerion. November 15, 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 19, 2012.
  5. ↑ Doyle, Andrew (2010-10-18). "NBAA: Aerion gets supersonic test results". Flightglobal. http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles//nbaa-aerion-gets-supersonic-test-results-348365. 
  6. ↑ Tom Benenson (October 21, 2010). "Aerion SBJ". Flying Magazine. http://www.flyingmag.com/news/aerion-sbj. 
  7. ↑ "Indigo Lyon selected as international sales representative for Aerion Supersonic Business Jet" (PDF) (Press release). Aerion. March 13, 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 27, 2012.
  8. ↑ Martin, Grant (Oct 31, 2013). "The World's First Supersonic Business Jet Will Reach The Market In 2021". Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/grantmartin/2013/10/31/the-worlds-first-supersonic-business-jet-will-fly-in-2021/. 
  9. ↑ Molly McMillin (8 December 2013). "Need for speed drives efforts for supersonic business jet". The Wichita Eagle. http://www.kansas.com/news/business/aviation/article1129272.html. 
  10. ↑ Chad Trautvetter (20 May 2014). "Aerion SSBJ Now a Trijet with Bigger Cabin, More Range; Aviation International News". AIN online. https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/ainalerts/2014-05-20/aerion-ssbj-now-trijet-bigger-cabin-more-range. 
  11. ↑ "Aerion's SBJ enters phase two of development". European Business Air News. 12 Jan 2005. http://www.ebanmagazine.com/mag_story.html?ident=7757. 
  12. ↑ "NBAA: Aerion gets supersonic test results", Flight International, 18 Oct 2010, http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/nbaa-aerion-gets-supersonic-test-results-348365/ 
  13. ↑ "Aerion Steps Up Testing for Supersonic Business Jet", Aviation International News, May 12, 2012, http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/ebace-convention-news/2012-05-12/aerion-steps-testing-supersonic-business-jet, retrieved May 23, 2012 
  14. ↑ Second Set of SBLT Tests Planned on NASA's F-15B, Dryden: NASA, May 15, 2012, http://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/Features/sblt_tests.html, retrieved May 23, 2012 
  15. ↑ "Aerion Tests Further Efforts to Develop Supersonic Bizjet", Aviation International News, October 29, 2012, http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/nbaa-convention-news/2012-10-29/aerion-tests-further-efforts-develop-supersonic-bizjet 
  16. ↑ "Aerion makes progress on supersonic business jet". The Wichita Eagle. Nov 21, 2012. https://www.kansas.com/news/business/aviation/article1103363.html. 
  17. ↑ Supersonic Laminar Flow Tests Continue on NASA's F-15B, Dryden: NASA, May 22, 2013, https://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/Features/sblt_phase_2.html, retrieved February 8, 2019 
  18. ↑ Specifications, Aerion, http://aerioncorp.com/jet 

External links



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