Aircraft

Aerion's AS2 supersonic business jet gets extra engine and cabin space

Aerion's AS2 supersonic business jet gets extra engine and cabin space
The Aerion AS2 will now use a set of three smaller jet engines for quieter running, improved take-off performance, and longer range
The Aerion AS2 will now use a set of three smaller jet engines for quieter running, improved take-off performance, and longer range
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The Aerion AS2 will now use a set of three smaller jet engines for quieter running, improved take-off performance, and longer range
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The Aerion AS2 will now use a set of three smaller jet engines for quieter running, improved take-off performance, and longer range
The AS2 will be capable of a maximum speed of Mach 1.6
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The AS2 will be capable of a maximum speed of Mach 1.6
AS2 Side view
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AS2 Side view
Aerion claims its SNLF wing design results in a 90 percent reduction in drag over more conventional swept or delta wing designs
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Aerion claims its SNLF wing design results in a 90 percent reduction in drag over more conventional swept or delta wing designs
Aerion SNLF wing compared to delta wing
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Aerion SNLF wing compared to delta wing
Aerion digital analysis of supersonic airflow patterns.
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Aerion digital analysis of supersonic airflow patterns.
With a 30-ft (9.1-m) cabin in a two-lounge configuration, cabin dimensions widen from entryway to the rear seating area where height is about 6.2 ft (1.9 m) and cabin width around 7.2 ft (2.2 m)
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With a 30-ft (9.1-m) cabin in a two-lounge configuration, cabin dimensions widen from entryway to the rear seating area where height is about 6.2 ft (1.9 m) and cabin width around 7.2 ft (2.2 m)
View gallery - 7 images

Aerion Corporation has upped the cabin size and added an extra engine to the first in its planned range of supersonic business jets currently on the drawing board. Designed with Supersonic Natural Laminar Flow (SNLF) wing technology that was tested in transonic wind tunnel tests and in NASA flight trials, the Aerion AS2 will now use a set of three smaller jet engines in place of its previous large two-jet design to provide quieter running, improved take-off performance, and longer range.

With its new three engine configuration, the AS2 is able to take greater advantage of the unique Aerion "unswept" SNLF (Supersonic Natural Laminar Flow) wing design. This sees the wing feature upper and lower surfaces that are slightly curved, ensuring a smooth flow of air across them that continues to travel in relatively undisturbed layers.

Aerion claims this results in a 90 percent reduction in drag over more conventional swept or delta wing designs and helps reduce total airframe drag by as much as 20 percent. As a result, it is expected that the AS2 will not only be fast, but super-efficient as well.

Aerion digital analysis of supersonic airflow patterns.
Aerion digital analysis of supersonic airflow patterns.

Capable of a maximum speed of Mach 1.6, the AS2 has been designed to travel at two optimal cruising speeds where range and efficiency are at their best: Mach 0.95 where supersonic flight is prohibited, and at Mach 1.4 where the SNLF wing characteristics will be at their most efficient.

Dimension-wise, the fuselage is 160 ft (48 m) long and maximum take-off weight is expected to be around 115,000 lb (52,000 kg). With these figures, the minimum projected range is predicted to be approximately 4,750 nautical miles (8,800 km), though the company is hoping to achieve an ultimate range of around 5,000 nm (9,260 km).

AS2 Side view
AS2 Side view

With a 30-ft (9.1-m) cabin in a two-lounge configuration, cabin dimensions widen from entryway to the rear seating area where height is about 6.2 ft (1.9 m) and cabin width around 7.2 ft (2.2 m). When fully fueled, it is expected that the AS2 will require a take-off length of roughly 7,500 ft (2,286 m), though this is expected to drop to only 5,000-6,000 ft (1,500-1,800 m) at take-off weights below 100,000 lb (45,000 kg), while still maintaining trans-Atlantic and transcontinental US capability. This should allow the aircraft to operate from medium-sized aviation hubs as and when necessary.

With a 30-ft (9.1-m) cabin in a two-lounge configuration, cabin dimensions widen from entryway to the rear seating area where height is about 6.2 ft (1.9 m) and cabin width around 7.2 ft (2.2 m)
With a 30-ft (9.1-m) cabin in a two-lounge configuration, cabin dimensions widen from entryway to the rear seating area where height is about 6.2 ft (1.9 m) and cabin width around 7.2 ft (2.2 m)

According to the company, the new AS2 configuration draws on worldwide operator input from a market study conducted by Aerion in the first quarter of 2014 to assess demand for a supersonic business jet.

"The message from many of today’s long-range business jet operators is very clear," says Aerion CEO Doug Nichols. "They want a supersonic jet sooner rather than later; a cabin comparable in comfort to today’s long-range jets; a range of 5,000 nm or better; and they are willing to pay more than US$100 million for such an aircraft. That is the supersonic jet we are working to deliver.”

The AS2 will be capable of a maximum speed of Mach 1.6
The AS2 will be capable of a maximum speed of Mach 1.6

Whilst the AS2 is still in the design stage, Aerion does have plans to form an industrial collaboration with aerospace firms capable of supplying engines and airframe structures before the end of 2014. The release date for entry into service, provided certification is achieved, is 2021.

Given that there are also a number of other supersonic business jet concepts on drawing boards around the globe – such as the Spike S-512 and the Hypermach SonicStar – which are also aiming at a takeoff date somewhere in the same time-frame as Aerion’s offering, the period up to 2021 promises to be a very interesting time for aviation watchers. And, if all comes to fruition, it's also an exciting time for those of us who look forward to the ushering in of a new age of supersonic travel.

Source: Aerion (PDF)

Aerion Corporation has upped the cabin size and added an extra engine to the first in its planned range of supersonic business jets currently on the drawing board. Designed with Supersonic Natural Laminar Flow (SNLF) wing technology that was tested in transonic wind tunnel tests and in NASA flight trials, the Aerion AS2 will now use a set of three smaller jet engines in place of its previous large two-jet design to provide quieter running, improved take-off performance, and longer range.

With its new three engine configuration, the AS2 is able to take greater advantage of the unique Aerion "unswept" SNLF (Supersonic Natural Laminar Flow) wing design. This sees the wing feature upper and lower surfaces that are slightly curved, ensuring a smooth flow of air across them that continues to travel in relatively undisturbed layers.

Aerion claims this results in a 90 percent reduction in drag over more conventional swept or delta wing designs and helps reduce total airframe drag by as much as 20 percent. As a result, it is expected that the AS2 will not only be fast, but super-efficient as well.

Aerion digital analysis of supersonic airflow patterns.
Aerion digital analysis of supersonic airflow patterns.

Capable of a maximum speed of Mach 1.6, the AS2 has been designed to travel at two optimal cruising speeds where range and efficiency are at their best: Mach 0.95 where supersonic flight is prohibited, and at Mach 1.4 where the SNLF wing characteristics will be at their most efficient.

Dimension-wise, the fuselage is 160 ft (48 m) long and maximum take-off weight is expected to be around 115,000 lb (52,000 kg). With these figures, the minimum projected range is predicted to be approximately 4,750 nautical miles (8,800 km), though the company is hoping to achieve an ultimate range of around 5,000 nm (9,260 km).

AS2 Side view
AS2 Side view

With a 30-ft (9.1-m) cabin in a two-lounge configuration, cabin dimensions widen from entryway to the rear seating area where height is about 6.2 ft (1.9 m) and cabin width around 7.2 ft (2.2 m). When fully fueled, it is expected that the AS2 will require a take-off length of roughly 7,500 ft (2,286 m), though this is expected to drop to only 5,000-6,000 ft (1,500-1,800 m) at take-off weights below 100,000 lb (45,000 kg), while still maintaining trans-Atlantic and transcontinental US capability. This should allow the aircraft to operate from medium-sized aviation hubs as and when necessary.

With a 30-ft (9.1-m) cabin in a two-lounge configuration, cabin dimensions widen from entryway to the rear seating area where height is about 6.2 ft (1.9 m) and cabin width around 7.2 ft (2.2 m)
With a 30-ft (9.1-m) cabin in a two-lounge configuration, cabin dimensions widen from entryway to the rear seating area where height is about 6.2 ft (1.9 m) and cabin width around 7.2 ft (2.2 m)

According to the company, the new AS2 configuration draws on worldwide operator input from a market study conducted by Aerion in the first quarter of 2014 to assess demand for a supersonic business jet.

"The message from many of today’s long-range business jet operators is very clear," says Aerion CEO Doug Nichols. "They want a supersonic jet sooner rather than later; a cabin comparable in comfort to today’s long-range jets; a range of 5,000 nm or better; and they are willing to pay more than US$100 million for such an aircraft. That is the supersonic jet we are working to deliver.”

The AS2 will be capable of a maximum speed of Mach 1.6
The AS2 will be capable of a maximum speed of Mach 1.6

Whilst the AS2 is still in the design stage, Aerion does have plans to form an industrial collaboration with aerospace firms capable of supplying engines and airframe structures before the end of 2014. The release date for entry into service, provided certification is achieved, is 2021.

Given that there are also a number of other supersonic business jet concepts on drawing boards around the globe – such as the Spike S-512 and the Hypermach SonicStar – which are also aiming at a takeoff date somewhere in the same time-frame as Aerion’s offering, the period up to 2021 promises to be a very interesting time for aviation watchers. And, if all comes to fruition, it's also an exciting time for those of us who look forward to the ushering in of a new age of supersonic travel.

Source: Aerion (PDF)

View gallery - 7 images
18 comments
18 comments
Noel K Frothingham
The Concord was not permitted to fly over mainland USA because of the sonic booms generated. How does this design address the sonic booms?
Ramon Verhoeven
@noel : Since this is an US made plane that wont be a problem. The US industry developed plans for supersonic planes, which never matured. Would they have made plans knowing it would not be permitted to fly with it over mainland ? So I think its not strange to figure out the rules were made just to make live worse for concord.
Snert
@ Noel
The article states that the airplane flies at "Mach 0.95 where supersonic flight is prohibited..." so I guess that they fly below the "boom" level over the US mainland until they get over open ocean
chann94501
The US didn't ban supersonic commercial flight until after they had decided not to proceed with their planned supersonic aircraft. The aircraft manufacturers then campaigned to ban supersonic flight over the continental US to scupper Concorde. So if it suits American graft and corruption then the ban will likely be lifted. America is all about the rich and powerful and what they want. Aircraft frequently fly supersonic over the US, people don't know what they are hearing or suspect and don't mind. Look up the "Aspen 20" anecdote from an SR-71 crew flying at near 2,000 knots ground speed over Arizona. Concorde was most intrusive at low level, climbing out of JFK or LHR on reheat. I wonder how loud one of these new 1% toys would be taking off over my house in Alameda.
Len Simpson
My daughter & hubby took the last Concorde flight to Europe.. The only impressive was the Mach gauge on the bulkhead.
Ed
You know...I was looking for something to replace my aging Piper Cub!
mookins
@ Ramon Verhoeven: I think they changed the rules after Concorde started flying and they got loads of complaints- the complaints were a surprise, to the FAA and U.S. manufacturers alike.
Leigh Pierce
Like - why do they publish an article like this. I mean who can afford to fly private jet anyhow? Perhaps. 0.0000000000001 % of the world's population
Stephen N Russell
Hope they mass produce & make cargo variant.
pmshah
The American manufactures were incapable of designing a supersonic passenger aircraft. So the congress took its money and banned it flying over US mainland. How convenient ! This is the normal operating method for the US. If they can't compete or it does not suit "seven sisters" or other similarly "meal ticket" corporation congress and senate are always there to oblige.
Just for my information how many air force jets are breaking the sound barrier every day in close vicinity of populated areas? Do these not affect anyone? Would one even hear the sonic boom on ground from an aircraft flying at 35,000 to 40,000 feet ?
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