Whisper Aero has selected First Resonance's ION Factory OS as the manufacturing execution system to support its imminent ramp up in production.

The electric propulsor expert is setting up its first manufacturing line at its Tennessee headquarters, and the integration of ION's real-time analytics and inspection control checkpoints is anticipated to significantly reduce cycle times with each propulsor produced.

Whisper Aero's decision to choose ION Factory OS was influenced by several key factors, including advanced traceability features, support for AS9100 certification and the system's ease of deployment and maintenance.

Ian Villa, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Product Officer at Whisper Aero says: "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."

Throughout the initial testing and production phases, Whisper Aero will 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.

As a company engaged in Department of Defense contracts, Whisper Aero emphasizes the significance of stringent data security and achieving AS9100 certification. ION Factory OS aligns seamlessly with these priorities by streamlining the audit process required for certification.

"ION captures every single thing 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," comments Louie Tarifa, Head of Manufacturing at Whisper Aero.

In a competitive landscape where speed to market is paramount, Whisper Aero's investment in ION Factory OS reflects the urgency to establish its factory quickly for efficient production. The decision was reinforced by First Resonance's ready-to-deploy system, allowing Whisper Aero to focus on building groundbreaking propulsors without the need for extensive software customisation.

"We will be heads down building, and we'd rather focus on delivering on our customer's needs than tweaking slower, inflexible software. We chose ION because the system is ready to go right away, and the team at First Resonance has deep experience in aerospace so they know exactly what we need," adds Villa.

Karan Talati, CEO and co-founder of First Resonance, brings engineering expertise from SpaceX, having experienced firsthand the challenges of pioneering advancements. "We are privileged to join Whisper Aero's journey and honored to join their work in ushering in a new era of environmentally-friendly air travel in the aerospace industry," he says.