Not to be confused with Aereon.
Aerion Corporation
Private
Founded2003
DefunctMay 21, 2021
FateRan out of money for funding
Location cityReno, Nevada
Location countryUnited States
Key peopleTom Vice, chairman, president, and CEO[1]
Robert Bass, founder
IndustryAerospace
ProductsSupersonic business jet
Homepageaerionsupersonic.com

Aerion Corporation was an American aircraft manufacturer based in Reno, Nevada. It was founded by Robert Bass of Fort Worth.[2]

From 2004 until 2021, the company was developing a 10-passenger supersonic jet to cut transatlantic flights by three hours, using "boomless cruise" technology to negate the sonic boom.[3][4] It was expected to be the first supersonic aircraft without an afterburner to lower emissions, and the first to run on biofuels.[5][6]

Aerion abruptly announced on May 21, 2021, that the company would be shutting down due to inability to raise needed capital to proceed.[7]

History

Aerion Corporation was founded in 2003 by Texas billionaire Robert Bass as a startup working to commercialize supersonic aviation technology.[2][8] The company began development on supersonic business jets in 2004.[9]

Increased demand from a variety of aircraft manufacturers for Aerion’s natural laminar flow (NLF) expertise drove the company to launch Aerion Technologies Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary, in May 2011.[10][11][12] Aerion stated that the same proprietary technologies and design tools that enable a practical supersonic business jet also have subsonic and transonic applications. During the previous 10 years, Aerion had developed extensive NLF test data and methods for optimizing its application to aircraft design, as well as assuring practical manufacturing and operational use. Aerion Technologies’ NLF technology and design tools may also help airframe builders improve speed and efficiency limits for next-generation civil and military aircraft.[13][14][15]

In May 2015, Ernest Edwards, formerly president of Embraer Executive Jets, was appointed Aerion’s chief commercial officer, while previous Gulfstream G650 chief engineer Mike Hinderberger was promoted to senior vice president for aircraft development.[16]

In March 2018, Tom Vice, former president of Northrop Grumman's Aerospace Systems sector, was appointed President and COO. A year later, Vice also replaced Robert Bass as Chairman of the Board upon the announcement of a partnership between Boeing and Aerion.[17]

In April 2020, the company announced the construction of a $375 million production facility at the Melbourne Orlando International Airport and the relocation of its headquarters to the Aerion Park campus, with the hopes of the first commercial delivery of planes by 2027.[7][18] Aerion began development on carbon neutral capabilities for its AS2 jet through direct air capture in a 2020 deal with Carbon Engineering.[19] In July 2020, Aerion partnered with Jetex to establish travel arrangements for AS2 passengers.[20][21]

On May 21, 2021, at the time of its collapse, the company had 93 orders for the AS2 aircraft at a price of US$120 million, a backlog of $11.2 billion. Aerion had only a fraction of the US$4 billion it estimated would be needed to complete certification and commence production. The company said the customer deposits would be returned.[22][23]

In June 2021, Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun explained why it stopped supporting Aerion, stating that he asked, "is it going to be big enough and meaningful enough to Boeing? And maybe not just in terms of share of market and service market, but also in terms of return on capital? And does it bring any technology to our existing core business? And if it doesn't, then it's got to really stand on its own … And our decision on supersonic was that it didn't."[24]

Projects

Aerion SBJ

Main article: Aerion SBJ

The Aerion SBJ was a supersonic business jet project designed by Aerion.

Unveiled in 2004, the designer sought a joint venture with a business aircraft manufacturer anticipating a $1.2–1.4 billion development in 7–8 years.[25] Aerion received 50 letters-of-intent before enlarging the design as the Aerion AS2 in 2014.[26]

Powered by two Pratt & Whitney JT8D-219 engines, the $80 million aircraft would transport 8-12 passengers up to Mach 1.6 and up to 4,000 nmi (7,400 km).[25]

Aerion AS2

Main article: Aerion AS2

The Aerion AS2 was announced in May 2014, as a larger Aerion SBJ redesign, targeting introduction after a seven year development period.[26] Aerion initially partnered with Airbus on the project in September 2014.[27] In December 2017, Airbus was replaced as a partner by Lockheed Martin.[28] Its General Electric Affinity engine for the AS2 was unveiled in October 2018.[29] In February 2019, Boeing replaced Lockheed Martin as a partner.[30]

The 12 passenger aircraft aimed for Mach 1.4 with a supersonic natural laminar flow wing for a minimum projected range of 4,750 nm (8,800 km).[27][31][32] It was designed to have flown at just below the sound barrier while flying over land in order to comply with supersonic flight restrictions.[18]

A $4 billion development cost was anticipated, for a market for 300 aircraft over 10 years and 500 aircraft overall, at $120 million each.[29] A preliminary design review was delayed until 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[33] Aerion had projected a $40 billion market for the AS2 with a $3.18 billion order backlog from companies such as Flexjet and discussions for orders valued at another $6.2 billion.[33]

Aerion AS3

Aerion announced, in March 2021, a 50 seat hypersonic Mach 4 airliner project aimed to achieve a range of 7,000 km (3,800 nmi).[34] The company targeted commercial availability by 2029.[35]

See also

References

  1. ^ Aereon (2021). "Leadership team". aerionsupersonic.com. Archived 12 December 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  2. ^ "Billionaire Bass's Supersonic Jet Dream Wins Boeing Backing". Bloomberg. February 5, 2019. – via www.bloomberg.com.
  3. ^ Graeme Paton (May 26, 2017). "Flight times to New York could be almost halved by first supersonic crossing of Atlantic since Concorde". The Times. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  4. ^ Cameron Frew. "Supersonic Jet Taking Off in 2021 Will Get You From London To New York In 3 Hours". UNILAD. Archived from the original on July 29, 2021. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  5. ^ Michael Verdon (May 5, 2020). "Inside the Race to Launch the First 'Boomless,' Carbon-Neutral Supersonic Jet". Robb Report. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  6. ^ "Boeing joins Fort Worth's Robert Bass in push to build supersonic business jet". The Dallas Morning News. February 5, 2019. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  7. ^ Sheetz, Michael (2021-05-21). "Aerion Supersonic shuts down, ending plans to build silent high speed business jets". CNBC. Archived 21 May 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2021-05-21.
  8. ^ Rob Mark (February 7, 2019). "Boeing Invests in Aerion SST". Flying. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  9. ^ Michael Verdon (May 5, 2020). "Inside the Race to Launch the First 'Boomless,' Carbon-Neutral Supersonic Jet". Robb Report. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  10. ^ "Want Laminar Flow? Talk to Aerion, Aviation Week, 5/16/11"
  11. ^ "Sorry about that... | Aviation International News". Archived from the original on 18 July 2012. Retrieved 26 September 2011.
  12. ^ Croft, John (2011-05-16). "EBACE: Aerion seeks fresh revenue stream". Flight Global
  13. ^ Carey, Bill. "Aerion's tech subsidiary brings laminar flow to subsonics". Aviation International News
  14. ^ Croft, John (2011-10-11). "NBAA: Aerion goes with laminar flow". Flight Global
  15. ^ "NBAA: Aerion talks up transonic options as F-15 tests resume". Flight Global
  16. ^ "Aerion announces promotions and new senior staff positions". SP's Aviation. May 18, 2015.
  17. ^ "Boeing Partners with Aerion, Bets big on Supersonics". AINonline. February 5, 2019.
  18. ^ Thomas Black & Julie Johnsson (21 May 2021). "Texas Billionaire's Supersonic-Jet Dream Dies as Aerion Folds". Bloomberg.
  19. ^ James Temple. "How carbon-sucking machines could cut aviation emissions". MIT Technology Review. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  20. ^ Kerry Lynch. "Aerion Forms Partnership with Jetex". AIN Online. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
  21. ^ "Aerion Supersonic & Jetex Enter into Strategic Partnership to Redefine the Luxury Travel Experience". FBO Networks, Ground Handling, Trip Planning, Premium Jet Fuel. Retrieved 2023-03-16.
  22. ^ Gollan, Doug. "Supersonic Private Jet Manufacturer Aerion's Future In Doubt". Forbes
  23. ^ Niles, Russ (22 May 2021). "Cash-Short Aerion Supersonic Closes". AVweb. Archived 7 May 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  24. ^ Phelps, Mark (8 June 2021). "Boeing CEO Addresses Decision To Drop Support For Aerion". AVweb. Archived May 7, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  25. ^ "NBAA 2004 - Las Vegas witnesses birth of supersonic gamble". 19 Oct 2004.
  26. ^ Chad Trautvetter (20 May 2014). "Aerion SSBJ Now a Trijet with Bigger Cabin, More Range; Aviation International News". AIN online. Archived from the original on November 24, 2021. Retrieved February 12, 2019.
  27. ^ "Aerion advances supersonic ambitions with Airbus collaboration". Flightglobal. 22 September 2014.
  28. ^ Chad Trautvetter (December 13, 2017). "Aerion, Lockheed Plan AS2 SSBJ Announcement by Friday". Aviation International News
  29. ^ Mark Phelps (October 15, 2018). "Aerion Unveils Stage 5 GE Affinity Engine for Supersonic AS2". AIN online
  30. ^ Boeing & Aerion Supersonic (Feb 5, 2019). "Boeing Partners with Aerion to Accelerate Supersonic Travel"
  31. ^ Hemmerdinger, Jon (24 December 2019). "Aerion selects more suppliers for in-development supersonic business jet AS2". Flight Global. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  32. ^ Macias, Amanda and Michael Sheetz (5 February 2019). "Take a look at the Boeing jet that may take you to your next business meeting at supersonic speeds". CNBC. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  33. ^ Kerry Lynch. "Supersonic AS2 Is Just a Starting Point for Aerion". AIN Online. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
  34. ^ O'Hare, Maureen & Sillers, Paul (30 March 2021). "Supersonic airliner could fly LA to Tokyo in under three hours". CNN
  35. ^ Niknam, Majid (30 March 2021). "Aerion Unveils Its Hypersonic, High Range AS3". Airways Magazine. Archived from the original on June 2, 2021. Retrieved April 2, 2021.