July 4, 2006 It takes but a glance at the Javelin personal jet to understand that it was born from the intense desire to offer military performance to the general aviation market. That was our intro in April last year when we first saw the Javelin, and subsequent stories in June, August and October charted the Javelin’s construction, flight testing and now we can report that the prototype testing has yielded several design changes (an increase in wing size, enhancement of wing lift devices, and improvement to the canopy opening mechanism) and with these last major design changes, the Javelin’s configuration is being frozen for production. At US$2.795 million (2005 dollars indexed), the Javelin offers jet fighter performance at a fraction of what you’d be likely to pay if you could buy a fighter jet … and that’s the biggest bonus because you can actually buy a Javelin if you’re prepared to stand in line for a year or two.
To achieve a lower stall speed, resulting in slower and safer approaches and landings, designers have increased the wing span by 1.85 feet and the wing area by 29 square feet. The wings have been further enhanced with Fowler flaps and leading edge flaps. Aerodynamicists expect these wing improvements to yield a 5 to 7-knot decrease in stall speed, lowering Javelin’s stall speed to 90 knots.
Engineers also implemented design improvements to the Javelin's canopy system. Under advisement from ATG’s Pilot-vehicle Interface Working Group, designers selected an aft-hinge canopy opening mechanism to replace the less conventional side-opening arrangement. Removal of the side hinges gives the new canopy a more aerodynamic profile, enables ground operations with an open canopy in winds up to 40 knots, and allows Javelin pilots to taxi with improved visibility and cockpit ventilation. The new canopy also features a gas spring and electric motor combination, which allows pilots to open and close the canopy with the push of a button.
Changes to the wing and canopy have resulted in a nominal weight increase and a small decrease the Javelin’s cruise speed to 500 knots. After a thorough review and acceptance by ATG engineering staff and executive management, the overall benefits of these final design changes were confirmed by a series of wind tunnel tests conducted at the University of Washington Aeronautics Laboratory in May.
Javelin executive jet (Mk-10)
Engines: two 1,800-pound thrust, turbofan Williams International FJ33Seating capacity: two, tandemCabin width: Canopy interior sills: 28.5 inchesCockpit interior width at elbows: 36 inchesMaximum outside cabin width: 40 inchesMaximum gross weight: 6,900 poundsEmpty weight: 4,655 poundsWing span: 25.1 feetLength: 37 feetHeight: 10.5 feetWing area: 149 square feetWing load: 46 psfTakeoff ground roll (std day, SL, 6,900 pounds): 2,000 feetBalanced field (std day, SL, 6,900 pounds): 3,200 feetMaximum rate of climb: 9,000 fpmTime to climb to 41,000 feet (ISA, std day, 6,900 pounds): 17 minutesCruise speed (ISA, std day, 5,100 pounds, 35,000 feet): 0.87 Mach, 500 KTAS, 575 mphStall speed in landing configuration (6,900 pounds.): 98 KCASStall speed in landing configuration (5,380 pounds): 86 KCASApproach speed: 120 knots (at maximum gross weight)Approach speed: 105 knots (at typical approach weight, 5380 pounds)Landing distance (std day, SL, 6,900 pounds, full flaps)Ground roll: 2,400 feetOver 50 feet: 4,000 feetLanding distance (std day, SL, 5,380 pounds, full flaps) Ground roll: 2,000 feet Over 50 feet: 3,400 feetIFR range (long range cruise speed): 1,000 nmEndurance: 3.5 hoursFuel capacity: 280 gallonsFuel consumption at mid-cruise weight Economy cruise (0.75 Mach at 45,000 feet): 73 gph High-speed cruise (0.86 Mach at 35,000 feet): 133 gphCertified ceiling: 45,000 feetCargo or baggage: up to 200 poundsPrice 2005: US$2.795 million (2005 dollars indexed, taxes not included)
