Don’t expect to look up and see the AS2 streaking overhead anytime soon though, Aerion is planning its first test flight in 2021, with entry into service in 2023.
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Concept of Aerions AS2, capable of flying at speed 67 per cent greater than current planned business jets.
“Airbus Group has a long history of supporting innovation, and Aerion’s innovative aerodynamic technology unquestionably offers long-term benefits to the industry in terms of performance and efficiency”, said Doug Nichols, Aerion CEO.Engineering progress report at the one-year anniversary of the Aerion/Airbus Group collaboration, the two companies drew back the curtains on engineering efforts that have proceeded quietly, but steadily, since the first joint engineering team meeting in 2014.
Plane manufacturers Airbus and Aerion are going ahead with the production of the AS2 – dubbed the “son of Concorde”.
The wings, fuselage, landing gear and fuel systems have already been built using the latest carbon fibre technology, much of which was developed in Bristol.
Its executive ranks include Sean McGeough, former president Hawker Beechcraft’s sales and operations in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific; Ernie Edwards, who was director of sales for Cessna’s western division for most of the 1990s; Jeff Miller, former Learjet spokesman; and Brian Barents, president of Learjet from 1989 to 1996 and a former Cessna senior vice president of sales and marketing. Flexjet becomes the first fleet provider of private travel to commit to purchasing the first supersonic business jet. The AS2 is meant to fly efficiently at lower speeds over land because of flight restrictions related to sonic booms. EASA certification would follow closely thereafter. “Aerion is focused on an engine solution that meets Stage 4 noise standards while preserving long-range supersonic performance”.
The AS2 will fly at a top speed of 1 217mph (about 1 900kph) – nearly as fast as Concorde, which flew at 1 350mph and took three-and-a-half hours to fly to NY from London.
Business jet operator Flexjet has placed an order for 20 of the $120 million aircraft.
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Airbus will provide major components and Aerion will do the final assembly, the companies said in the statement released at the National Business Aviation Association trade show in Las Vegas.
