Working in close collaboration with Lockheed Martin and GE Aviation, Aerion has concluded the conceptual design phase for the AS2 supersonic business jet and has embarked on the preliminary design, a phase that will conclude in June 2020. CEO Tom Vice says: “We're on track to fly in 2023 and, before that year is out, to cross the Atlantic at supersonic speed, which will be the first supersonic crossing since Concorde's retirement 20 years earlier. Aerion and our AS2 industry team, which comprises Lockheed Martin, GE Aviation and Honeywell, have solved many of the tremendous challenges in creating a supersonic renaissance.

“We've overcome some huge technical hurdles and we're confident we'll meet Stage 5 takeoff and landing noise requirements. We've made strides in structures and systems, we're recruiting top tier suppliers, and we're attracting the best and brightest engineering talent to the programme as we grow our organisation.”

The company is collaborating with Honeywell Aerospace to develop the cockpit. President, electronic solutions Carl Esposito says: “Honeywell will deliver a comprehensive connected aircraft solution that will enable operators to reach their destinations faster than ever before, maximising their productivity while providing an exceptional travel experience. This is a fantastic opportunity to pioneer a new segment of aviation with Aerion.”

GE Aviation has completed the initial design of its supersonic engine and is on schedule to meet the Aerion AS2 launch. The Affinity is a twin-shaft, twin-fan turbofan controlled by a next generation FADEC for enhanced dispatch reliability and onboard diagnostics. It is designed to enable efficient supersonic flight over water and efficient subsonic flight over land, without requiring modifications to existing compliance regulations. The engine is designed to meet stringent Stage 5 subsonic noise requirements and beat current emissions standards. “In the last 50 years, business aircraft speeds have increased by less than 10 per cent,” says GE vice president and general manager for business and general aviation integrated services Brad Mottier. “Instead of going faster, cabins have increased in size and become more comfortable, and range has become longer. With large, comfortable cabin, long range aircraft in the marketplace, the next step is speed, made possible with GE's Affinity.”

Aerion's Vice is also looking beyond the AS2 to subsequent technologies and aircraft that will deliver the promise of a revolution in global mobility. “The AS2 is the first step on a roadmap to making supersonic travel efficient, sustainable and widely available," he continues. "Today we are at the limits of available technology. We are starting with a business jet because the technology closes and the business case closes; we see a viable market for the AS2. It will be our springboard to larger and faster designs, both for business aviation and commercial airliners.

“Today we are adapting off-the-shelf engine core technology, which in itself is no easy task. For the supersonic industry to progress we need to demonstrate the market and spur the development of new engine technologies that will meet evolving regulations for noise and emissions, while boosting speed.

“A next generation beyond the AS2, based on further adaptation of current engine technology, could take us from the AS2's speed of mach 1.4 to mach 1.6, and could serve as a larger cabin, longer-range business jet and small airliner. Entirely new engine designs hold the potential for building larger aircraft able to fly at mach 1.8 and above. This evolution will require considerable investment in new technology and will arrive in stages over the next several decades. Aerion intends to be at the forefront of these developments. If hypersonic passenger planes are flying at some point beyond that, we expect they will say Aerion on the side.”