Aernnova Partners on Spike S-512 Supersonic Jet

Spike Aerospace is partnering with Spanish aerostructures specialist Aernnova on the development of the Spike S-512 supersonic jet. Spike Aerospace in 2013 announced plans to develop the 18-passenger S-512 supersonic jet that would fly at Mach 1.6 and have a low sonic boom. Plans call to bring the new supersonic aircraft to market in 2022.

Aernnova will provide structural expertise to the program, collaborating on development and validation of structural systems such as the fuselage, wing and vertical tail. The partnership initially will involve stress analysis and performance optimization of structures and later focus on engineering of aircraft high-lift and control surface systems.

“Aernnova will play an important role in our structural analysis, which will help our engineering team optimize the design, minimize loads and reduce weight,” said Tom Langer, Spike senior engineer.

Since the original conceptual design was developed in 2013, Spike engineers have focused on aerodynamic analysis and design optimization of the S-512 to reduce sonic boom, increase range and enhance comfort.

The wings are now a modified delta wing that “delivers high aerodynamic efficiency and improved flight performance in both low-speed flight and supersonic cruise,” according to Spike Aerospace senior engineer Dr. Anutosh Moitra. “The highly swept leading-edge reduces wave drag and consequently reduces fuel burn and increases range.”

Other changes include a tail modification that  aims to reduce drag and improve aircraft control in supersonic conditions. “Improved stability characteristics of the new S-512 design allowed us to eliminate the horizontal tail, resulting in further reduction of drag and weight,” Moitra said.