Airbus Backs Aerion To Take AS2 Supersonic Business Jet to Market

Aerion’s long-awaited AS2 supersonic business jet (SSBJ) program received a major boost last month when Airbus signed up for a partnership involving an exchange of knowledge and capabilities in design, manufacturing and certification. According to Aerion, the collaboration will support the Mach 1.6, $100+ million AS2 through to certification. Although the industrialization plan for the new jet has still to be confirmed, the Reno, Nev.-based group said that this will happen “over the course of the next year” and confirmed that it is no longer searching for a manufacturing partner.

Engineers from Airbus Group’s Defence and Space division and Aerion have already started working together in Reno, following the September 22 announcement. Europe-based Airbus will be supporting Aerion in specifying and sourcing propulsion systems, airframe structures, avionics and other equipment during the design phase.

The companies hope to fly the new three-engined SSBJ design, which was unveiled at the EBACE show in May, in 2019 and make the first delivery in 2021.

“This agreement accomplishes two major objectives,” said Aerion CEO Doug Nichols. “It provides validation from the industry leader in aerospace innovation, and it decisively kicks the program into high gear. Each company will benefit. Aerion moves quickly toward building a supersonic jet, and Airbus Group gains exclusive access to our research and technology.”

Airbus has not explicitly committed to being involved in the manufacturing phase, but Aerion expects to be able to finalize this part of the plan ahead of an anticipated full program launch in 2016. “Decisions relating to overall industrialization strategy will be taken over the course of the next year,” Nichols told AIN. “We are focused today on completing the advanced design phase of the program.”

Over the longer term, “Airbus gains exclusive access to Aerion proprietary research and technology, and to proprietary multi-disciplinary design tools whose accuracy has been validated in flight-tests,” Nichols said. These technologies include Aerion’s extensive research in natural laminar flow airfoils, design tools and patented aerodynamic designs.

At EBACE, Aerion said it planned to announce the AS2’s engine selection at the NBAA Convention this month; however, in light of the new partnership with Airbus, this decision has now been delayed. “Airbus Group will be deeply involved in the engine selection process as part of the collaboration,” Nichols said. “We see a number of good options to adapt a modern core engine for supersonic requirements.” Aerion previously said it was in discussions with “leading engine suppliers” to find an optimum core engine in the 15,000-pound-thrust range for the AS2–a list that includes the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW800, GE Passport and Rolls-Royce BR710.