Whisper Aero Chooses First Resonance ION Factory OS System “to Assist Building Ultra-Quiet Propulsor” for Electric Jet
Whisper Aero, a U.S‑based cutting-edge, next generation electric propulsion company, announced recently it has chosen the First Resonance ION Factory OS System to assist in building its “ultra-quiet propulsor” production, reports airframer.com. As the company’s website states, “The future needs to be as considerate as it is compelling.” (Robert Downey Jr)
The ION Factory OS System is able to “capture everything that happens on the factory floor, including processes, parts, inspections and red lines. This will significantly reduce the time it takes to comply with the rigorous audits required for certification,” explains the article. This ease of execution supports Whisper’s “ramp up in production” and is “anticipated to significantly reduce cycle times with each propulsor produced.”
Whisper is setting up its first manufacturing line at the company’s Tennessee headquarters. The choice of ION’s real-time analytics and inspection control checkpoints is influenced by several key factors, including:-
: Advanced traceability features.
: Support for AS9100 certification.
: The system’s ease of deployment and maintenance.
Ian Villa, COO and CPO at Whisper Aero, explained, “As we gear up our new Tennessee facility, our goal is to begin producing propulsors before the end of this year. After evaluating multiple vendors, ION by First Resonance emerged as the sole solution capable of meeting our aggressive timelines and extensive requirements.”

Whisper Aero Team (Ian Villa bottom left)
Throughout the initial testing and production phases, Whisper is “to leverage ION’s as-built Bill of Materials capabilities to automate data capture related to material, process, and procedure changes. Post-production, ION Factory OS will continue to play a vital role in maintaining comprehensive traceability, overseeing serial numbers and managing sign-offs,” continues the article.
As a company engaged in DOD contracts, stringent data security and achieving AS9100 certification is imperative. The article points out, “ION Factory OS aligns seamlessly with these priorities by streamlining the audit process required for certification.”
In a competitive landscape where speed to market is paramount, Whisper Aero’s choice reflects the company’s urgency to establish its factory. First Resonance’s ready-to-deploy system, allows it to focus on building groundbreaking propulsors without the need for extensive software customisation.
Villa continues, “We chose ION because the system is ready to go right away, where the team has deep experience in aerospace, so they know exactly what we need.”
Karan Talati, CEO and co-Founder of First Resonance, brings engineering expertise from SpaceX, having experienced firsthand the challenges of pioneering advancements. He remarked, “We are privileged to join Whisper Aero’s journey and ushering in a new era of environmentally-friendly air travel in the aerospace industry.”
For more information
https://www.firstresonance.io/ion
(Top image: Whisper Aero)
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