Aerion
{{Short description|Defunct American aircraft manufacturer}}
{{distinguish|Aereon}}
{{use mdy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2021}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Aerion Corporation
| logo = Aerion-logo-2015.png
| type = Private
| founded = 2003
| defunct = May 21, 2021
| fate= Ran out of money for funding
| location_city = Reno, Nevada
| location_country = United States
| key_people = Tom Vice, chairman, president, and CEO{{cite web|url= https://aerionsupersonic.com/company/|title= Leadership team|access-date= 3 March 2021|author= Aereon|work= aerionsupersonic.com|year= 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201212145331/https://aerionsupersonic.com/company/|archive-date= 12 December 2020|url-status= live}}
Robert Bass, founder
| industry = Aerospace
| products = Supersonic business jet
| revenue =
| operating_income =
| net_income =
| num_employees =
| parent =
| subsid =
| homepage = {{URL|aerionsupersonic.com}}
| footnotes =
}}
Aerion Corporation was an American aircraft manufacturer based in Reno, Nevada. It was founded by Robert Bass of Fort Worth.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-02-05/billionaire-s-supersonic-jet-project-wins-backing-from-boeing|title=Billionaire Bass's Supersonic Jet Dream Wins Boeing Backing|newspaper=Bloomberg |date=February 5, 2019|via=www.bloomberg.com}}
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.{{cite web|url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/flight-times-from-london-to-new-york-could-be-almost-halved-by-first-supersonic-crossing-of-the-atlantic-since-concorde-0krgf58qs|title=Flight times to New York could be almost halved by first supersonic crossing of Atlantic since Concorde|work=The Times|author=Graeme Paton|date=May 26, 2017 |access-date=9 March 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.unilad.co.uk/technology/supersonic-jet-taking-off-in-2021-will-get-you-from-london-to-new-york-in-3-hours/|title=Supersonic Jet Taking Off in 2021 Will Get You From London To New York In 3 Hours|publisher=UNILAD|author=Cameron Frew|accessdate=9 March 2021|archive-date=July 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729092142/https://www.unilad.co.uk/technology/supersonic-jet-taking-off-in-2021-will-get-you-from-london-to-new-york-in-3-hours/|url-status=dead}} It was expected to be the first supersonic aircraft without an afterburner to lower emissions, and the first to run on biofuels.{{cite web|url=https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/aerion-as2-supersonic-jet-2918574/|title=Inside the Race to Launch the First 'Boomless,' Carbon-Neutral Supersonic Jet|publisher=Robb Report|author=Michael Verdon|date=May 5, 2020 |accessdate=9 March 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.dallasnews.com/business/2019/02/05/boeing-joins-fort-worth-s-robert-bass-in-push-to-build-supersonic-business-jet/|title=Boeing joins Fort Worth's Robert Bass in push to build supersonic business jet|date=February 5, 2019 |publisher=The Dallas Morning News|accessdate=9 March 2021}}
Aerion abruptly announced on May 21, 2021, that the company would be shutting down due to inability to raise needed capital to proceed.{{Cite web|last=Sheetz|first=Michael|date=2021-05-21|title=Aerion Supersonic shuts down, ending plans to build silent high speed business jets|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/05/21/aerion-supersonic-shuts-down-ending-plans-for-silent-business-jets.html|access-date=2021-05-21|website=CNBC|language=en |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210521230636/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/05/21/aerion-supersonic-shuts-down-ending-plans-for-silent-business-jets.html|archive-date= 21 May 2021|url-status= live}}
History
Aerion Corporation was founded in 2003 by Texas billionaire Robert Bass as a startup working to commercialize supersonic aviation technology.{{cite web|url=https://www.flyingmag.com/boeing-invests-in-aerion-sst/#:~:text=Founded%20in%202003%20to%20develop,Affinity%20engine%20design%20in%202018.|title=Boeing Invests in Aerion SST|publisher=Flying|author=Rob Mark|date=February 7, 2019 |accessdate=11 February 2021}} The company began development on supersonic business jets in 2004.{{cite web|url=https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/aerion-as2-supersonic-jet-2918574/|title=Inside the Race to Launch the First 'Boomless,' Carbon-Neutral Supersonic Jet|publisher=Robb Report|author=Michael Verdon|date=May 5, 2020 |accessdate=11 February 2021}}
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.{{Cite web|url=http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/blogs/aviation_week/on_space_and_technology/index.jsp?plckController=Blog&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&newspaperUserId=a68cb417-3364-4fbf-a9dd-4feda680ec9c&plckPostId=Blog%3Aa68cb417-3364-4fbf-a9dd-4feda680ec9cPost%3A5e473787-9618-4ace-ac4d-f22656318836&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest|title=Want Laminar Flow? Talk to Aerion, Aviation Week, 5/16/11}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.ainonline.com/news/single-news-page/article/aerion-to-subsonic-set-go-with-the-natural-laminar-flow-29624|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20120718173017/http://www.ainonline.com/news/single-news-page/article/aerion-to-subsonic-set-go-with-the-natural-laminar-flow-29624|archive-date=18 July 2012|url-status=dead|title=Sorry about that... | Aviation International News|access-date=26 September 2011}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/ebace-aerion-seeks-fresh-revenue-stream/99911.article|title=EBACE: Aerion seeks fresh revenue stream|first=John|last=Croft2011-05-16T11:14:00+01:00|website=Flight Global}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2011-10-10/aerions-tech-subsidiary-brings-laminar-flow-subsonics|title=Aerion's tech subsidiary brings laminar flow to subsonics|first=Bill|last=Carey|website=Aviation International News}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/nbaa-aerion-goes-with-laminar-flow/102551.article|title=NBAA: Aerion goes with laminar flow|first=John|last=Croft2011-10-11T22:20:00+01:00|website=Flight Global}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/nbaa-aerion-talks-up-transonic-options-as-f-15-tests-resume/107572.article|title=NBAA: Aerion talks up transonic options as F-15 tests resume|website=Flight Global}}
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.{{Cite news |url= http://www.sps-aviation.com/appointments/?id=230 |title= Aerion announces promotions and new senior staff positions |magazine= SP's Aviation |date= May 18, 2015}}
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.{{cite news|title=Boeing Partners with Aerion, Bets big on Supersonics|url=https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2019-02-05/boeing-partners-aerion-bets-big-supersonics |work=AINonline|date=February 5, 2019}}
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.{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-05-22/texas-billionaire-s-supersonic-jet-dream-dies-as-aerion-folds|title=Texas Billionaire's Supersonic-Jet Dream Dies as Aerion Folds|publisher=Bloomberg|author1=Thomas Black|author2=Julie Johnsson|date=21 May 2021}} Aerion began development on carbon neutral capabilities for its AS2 jet through direct air capture in a 2020 deal with Carbon Engineering.{{cite web|url=https://www.technologyreview.com/2020/07/08/1004898/how-carbon-sucking-machines-could-cut-aviation-emissions/|title=How carbon-sucking machines could cut aviation emissions|publisher=MIT Technology Review|author=James Temple|accessdate=8 July 2020}} In July 2020, Aerion partnered with Jetex to establish travel arrangements for AS2 passengers.{{cite web|url=https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2020-07-21/aerion-forms-partnership-jetex|title=Aerion Forms Partnership with Jetex|publisher=AIN Online|author=Kerry Lynch|accessdate=21 July 2020}}{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Aerion Supersonic & Jetex Enter into Strategic Partnership to Redefine the Luxury Travel Experience |url=https://www.jetex.com/press_room/aerion-supersonic-jetex-partnership/ |access-date=2023-03-16 |website=FBO Networks, Ground Handling, Trip Planning, Premium Jet Fuel |language=en-US}}
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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/douggollan/2021/05/21/supersonic-private-jet-manufacturer-aerions-future-in-doubt/|title=Supersonic Private Jet Manufacturer Aerion's Future In Doubt|first=Doug|last=Gollan|website=Forbes}}{{cite web|url= https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/cash-short-aerion-supersonic-closes/|title= Cash-Short Aerion Supersonic Closes|access-date= 24 May 2021|last= Niles|first= Russ|work= AVweb|date= 22 May 2021|archive-url= https://archive.today/20220507200350/https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/cash-short-aerion-supersonic-closes/|archive-date= 7 May 2022|url-status= live}}
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."{{cite web|url= https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/boeing-ceo-addresses-decision-to-drop-support-for-aerion/|title= Boeing CEO Addresses Decision To Drop Support For Aerion|access-date= 9 June 2021|last= Phelps|first= Mark|work= AVweb|date= 8 June 2021|archive-url= https://archive.today/20220507200416/https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/boeing-ceo-addresses-decision-to-drop-support-for-aerion/|archive-date= May 7, 2022|url-status= live}}
Projects
=Aerion SBJ=
{{main|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.
Aerion received 50 letters-of-intent before enlarging the design as the Aerion AS2 in 2014.{{cite news |author= Chad Trautvetter |url= https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/ainalerts/2014-05-20/aerion-ssbj-now-trijet-bigger-cabin-more-range |title= Aerion SSBJ Now a Trijet with Bigger Cabin, More Range; Aviation International News |work= AIN online |date= 20 May 2014}}
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 {{cvt|4,000|nmi|km}}.{{cite news |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/nbaa-2004-las-vegas-witnesses-birth-of-supersonic-188921/ |title= NBAA 2004 - Las Vegas witnesses birth of supersonic gamble |date= 19 Oct 2004}}
=Aerion AS2=
{{main|Aerion AS2}}
The Aerion AS2 was announced in May 2014, as a larger Aerion SBJ redesign, targeting introduction after a seven year development period.
Aerion initially partnered with Airbus on the project in September 2014.
In December 2017, Airbus was replaced as a partner by Lockheed Martin.{{cite news |url= https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2017-12-13/aerion-lockheed-plan-as2-ssbj-announcement-friday |title= Aerion, Lockheed Plan AS2 SSBJ Announcement by Friday |author= Chad Trautvetter |date= December 13, 2017 |work= Aviation International News}}
Its General Electric Affinity engine for the AS2 was unveiled in October 2018.
In February 2019, Boeing replaced Lockheed Martin as a partner.{{cite press release |url= https://www.aerionsupersonic.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Joint_Aerion_Boeing.pdf |title= Boeing Partners with Aerion to Accelerate Supersonic Travel |date= Feb 5, 2019 |author1= Boeing |author2=Aerion Supersonic}}
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).{{cite news |url= http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/aerion-advances-supersonic-ambitions-with-airbus-collaboration-404004/ |title= Aerion advances supersonic ambitions with Airbus collaboration |work=Flightglobal |date= 22 September 2014}}{{cite web|url = https://www.flightglobal.com/aerion-selects-more-suppliers-for-in-development-supersonic-business-jet-as2/135933.article|title = Aerion selects more suppliers for in-development supersonic business jet AS2|access-date = 18 January 2020|last = Hemmerdinger|first = Jon |work = Flight Global|date = 24 December 2019 }}{{cite web|url = https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/05/boeing-aerion-supersonic-jet.html|title = Take a look at the Boeing jet that may take you to your next business meeting at supersonic speeds|access-date = 18 January 2020|author= Macias, Amanda and Michael Sheetz|work = CNBC|date = 5 February 2019 }} It was designed to have flown at just below the sound barrier while flying over land in order to comply with supersonic flight restrictions.
A $4 billion development cost was anticipated, for a market for 300 aircraft over 10 years and 500 aircraft overall, at $120 million each.{{cite news |url= https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2018-10-15/aerion-unveils-stage-5-ge-affinity-engine-supersonic-as2 |title= Aerion Unveils Stage 5 GE Affinity Engine for Supersonic AS2 |author= Mark Phelps |date= October 15, 2018 |work= AIN online}} A preliminary design review was delayed until 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite web|url=https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2020-06-17/supersonic-as2-just-starting-point-aerion|title=Supersonic AS2 Is Just a Starting Point for Aerion|publisher=AIN Online|author=Kerry Lynch|accessdate=17 June 2020}} 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.
=Aerion AS3=
Aerion announced, in March 2021, a 50 seat hypersonic Mach 4 airliner project aimed to achieve a range of {{cvt|7000|km|nmi}}.{{cite news |last1=O'Hare |first1=Maureen |last2=Sillers |first2=Paul |title=Supersonic airliner could fly LA to Tokyo in under three hours |url=https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/aerion-as3-supersonic-jet/index.html |work=CNN |date=30 March 2021 |language=en}} The company targeted commercial availability by 2029.{{cite news |last1=Niknam |first1=Majid |title=Aerion Unveils Its Hypersonic, High Range AS3 |url=https://airwaysmag.com/innovation/aerion-hypersonic-high-range-as3/ |work=Airways Magazine |date=30 March 2021 |access-date=April 2, 2021 |archive-date=June 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602213923/https://airwaysmag.com/innovation/aerion-hypersonic-high-range-as3/ |url-status=dead }}
See also
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- {{official website}}
{{Aerion aircraft}}
Category:Defunct aircraft manufacturers of the United States