Whisper Aero recently published four papers at the 2023 AIAA AVIATION conference covering “The Business Case for Regional Air Mobility At Scale," “Unlocking Low-Cost Regional Air Mobility through Whisper Aero Propulsive Coupling,” “Distributed Electric Propulsion and Vehicle Integration with Ducted Fans,” and “Vortex Particle Method for Electric Ducted Fans in Non Axisymmetric Flow.”

Throughout these papers, Whisper has detailed more about its core technology and is showcasing how it can be integrated to enable the next generation of flight.

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In addition to these papers, Whisper CEO, Mark Moore is presenting a forum keynote summarizing “How Whisper Aero Propels the Future of Aviation” on Thursday while Whisper COO, Ian Villa is presenting on a panel on “Revolutionary Leaps Toward a New Age of Aviation”

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Core technology

Whisper has developed a highly specialized electric ducted fan (EDF) that has been optimized for lowest noise and highest efficiency. This is achieved with a very high blade count fan. The blades are tensioned to an outer shroud, similar to the spokes of a bicycle wheel, for sustained rigidity throughout operation.

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The fan operates with incredibly low tip speed and achieves an ultrasonic blade passage frequency (BPF) because of its high blade count. Because of the ultrasonic BPF, broadband and electric motor tones tend to dominate Whisper’s acoustic signature as opposed to other electric propulsion (open propeller or ducted fans).

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These propulsors can scale and be compactly distributed across an airframe whether they’re podded on a fuselage or deeply embedded in a wing. By distributing their propulsors, Whisper and its airframe partners can take advantage of the weight and thermal benefits of smaller electric motors while simultaneously improving aero and acoustical performance.

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Whisper is exploring additional material science and manufacturing innovations to enable lower cost production of these propulsors for future commercial applications.

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Product integration

In addition to refining its core technology, Whisper has continued to explore how their propulsion innovations are best integrated into aircraft. 

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Over the last year, Whisper has flown its propulsors on a 55 lb Group 2 sUAS Demonstrator Drone that can fly silently from 200 ft altitude. Whisper is now revealing views of the drone from more perspectives to showcase its propulsive integration expertise.

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The demo drone sports an outboard horizontal tail (OHT) configuration first utilized on Blohm and Voss aircraft and more recently featured on Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipOne. Flying this aircraft has provided the team with greater confidence in stability and control characteristics of OHTs for more specialized integrations of its propulsors.

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An example of one of these more ideal integrations is the Whisper Jet. The Whisper Jet is a vision vehicle conceived by Whisper Aero to show how its electric ducted fan technology can help unlock regional air mobility (RAM) at scale. It sports an outboard horizontal configuration with twenty two of Whisper’s electric ducted fans integrated into a jetfoil along its main wing.

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Whisper Aero is not building the Whisper Jet, but is seeking partners to make the vision of Regional Air Mobility a reality. Some other specifications include:

• Span: 50 ft
• Range: 200 mi electric, 500 mi hybrid
• Max Takeoff Weight: 12,500 lbs
• Cruise Speed: 250 kts
• Payload: 2,400 lbs (Pilot + Nine Passengers)
• Balanced Field Length: 3,000 ft
• Conventional Takeoff and Landing
• Hybrid-electric, compatible with existing and enhanced regional airports

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Regional Air Mobility (RAM) revolutionizes local travel (50 - 500 mi) through electric flight advancements and a node-based transportation model.  For years, regional air travel has remained limited due to challenging economics that often require Essential Air Services (EAS) subsidies.

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With next-generation aircraft like the Whisper Jet, fares of $0.69 per passenger mile may be achieved which are close to the 2023 US federal mileage rate of $0.66 per mile.

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Although Urban Air Mobility (UAM) has captured much of aviation’s attention over the last few years, Whisper sees a significant opportunity to unlock Regional Air Mobility (RAM). Unlike UAM, many of the elements necessary for launch exist today from a large network of 2,500 compatible regional airports to P135 air carriers. Enablers for RAM at scale include: advanced aircraft concepts like the Whisper Jet, improved energy infrastructure, updated operational models, improved passenger experience, and community buy-in.

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Whisper believes its tech will be core for unlocking other markets as well including drone delivery, new Group 1-3 Department of Defense drone concepts, and commercial products like leaf blowers. 

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Whisper is currently seeking partners that it can work closely with to integrate its propulsion technology in the most optimal ways. The team has developed a comprehensive design framework to explore these integrations and help its airframe customers maximize the aero-propulsive-acoustic benefits of their end products.

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