The Aerion SBJ is designed to operate effectively under the existing sonic boom regulations with the potential to adapt as the regulations are changed. For flights over the United States where aircraft must stay below Mach 1.0, Aerion cruises efficiently at Mach 0.98. In other populated parts of the world the regulations require that a sonic boom does not reach the ground. There, Aerion can cruise as fast as Mach 1.1 without creating a sonic boom on the ground. Over the oceans and other uninhabited areas, Aerion can cruise at up to Mach 1.6.
The baseline Aerion aircraft has a relatively low sonic boom, with an initial overpressure of about 0.8 psf. This is less than the boom of many supersonic fighters and much less than the Concorde. Relatively minor changes to the Aerion design can reduce the overpressure to 0.5 psf. Over the next several years, regulations for low sonic boom will be developed and low-boom technology will be improved. Aerion will then develop low-boom aircraft to operate under the new regulations.