Aerion pushes supersonic bizjet plan

Aerion is in discussions with potential manufacturers of the eight- to 12-passenger jet that is claimed to reduce a New York to Paris flight to four hours and 15 minutes. Approach speeds will be 120 knots, and the range is projected to be 4,000 nm at supersonic speeds, or 4,500 nm at subsonic speeds. The goal is to operate from 6,000-foot runways.

Aerion is in discussions with potential manufacturers of the eight- to 12-passenger jet that is claimed to reduce a New York to Paris flight to four hours and 15 minutes. Approach speeds will be 120 knots, and the range is projected to be 4,000 nm at supersonic speeds, or 4,500 nm at subsonic speeds. The goal is to operate from 6,000-foot runways.

A series of flight and wind tunnel tests are planned for this year. A McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) F–15 fighter will be used for testing late this year at NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center in addition to wind tunnel testing. The purpose of the tests is to refine the shape of strakes, flaps, elevators, rudder, and engine integration. The data will be used to set production standards. A wing section will be carried aloft to test laminar flow predictions.

Source: AOPA