The U.S. Air Force’s AFWERX program has contracted with Jaunt Air Mobility to lead a team to assess anticipated noise generated by eVTOL aircraft operations and how these might be mitigated. The Small Business Technology Transfer contract, issued via the Air Force Research Laboratory, covers work that the aircraft developer will conduct in association with Penn State University and Continuum Dynamics.
The team will use advanced acoustical-analysis techniques to determine the noise performance of the Jaunt Journey aircraft that is in development. Jaunt’s design is based on its patented Reduced Rotor Operating Speed Aircraft (ROSA) technology.
According to Jaunt CEO Martin Peryea, the company will apply lessons learned from the research to deliver what he described as “ultra-low noise” performance in the aircraft. The company aims to have the Journey certified under the FAA’s Part 29 rules for helicopters and in production by 2026.
The Penn State University team is led by Professor Kenneth Brentner, who is an expert in aeroacoustics and rotorcraft noise. He will be supported by Dan Wachspress, who developed Continuum Dynamics’ CHARM software for conducting technical analysis on rotorcraft. They will use the company’s PSU flight-simulation software to model the performance of the Jaunt test vehicle.
This is the third Air Force Research Laboratory contract for Texas-based Jaunt Air Mobility. Earlier this month, along with Triumph Aerospace Structures and the Georgia Institute of Technology, it was tasked with a project to develop thermoplastic materials and low-cost production techniques for manufacturing eVTOL aircraft. It is also working with BAE Systems and Binghamton University to develop fast-charging solutions for electric aircraft.
