Aerion Supersonic has selected Aernnova to design and develop the mid fuselage, a major fuselage component, for the AS2 supersonic business jet. Aernnova chairman and CEO Iñaki Lopez Gandasegui says: “We are proud to be part of this unique and exciting supersonic business jet project with Aerion, where we expect to bring our significant experience and expertise of over 25 years in developing, manufacturing, certifying and supporting aerospace composite structures.”

Aernnova specialises in the design and manufacturing of aerostructures and components such as wings, empennages and fuselage sections. The 12-passenger AS2 is scheduled to begin flight testing in 2024.

“Our mission has always been to revolutionise global mobility and to do that, we need to bring on the best partners,” says Aerion CEO Tom Vice. “Aernnova has an impressive proven track record in the design and manufacture of complex composite aerostructure components that will be brought to our AS2 supersonic aircraft.”

Aerion has also selected GKN Aerospace and GE Aviation as suppliers on the AS2. GKN will design the empennage and the electrical wiring and interconnection systems (EWIS) for the jet. Design activities have already started on-site at Aerion in Reno, Nevada and in GKN Aerospace's engineering centres in the Netherlands and Romania. GE Aviation, whose Affinity engine will power the A2, will design and develop the electrical power system; electrical power generation, distribution, conversion and energy storage.

GKN CEO John Pritchard says: “We are excited to support the preliminary design phase of this all-new supersonic AS2 business jet. As technology leaders in both electrical wiring interconnect system (EWIS) and business jet empennages, we can bring unrivalled knowledge and expertise to the project.”

“Aligning with industry leading partners is key to making sustainable supersonic travel a reality,” notes Vice. “GKN Aerospace brings more than 100 years of aerospace development and extraordinary aerostructures expertise, including thermoplastic composites and electrical wiring systems, to our AS2 supersonic business aircraft.”

GE Aviation vice president and general manager for business and general aviation and integrated systems Brad Mottier adds: “Along with the engine, our electrical power system will be designed, integrated, and optimised to deliver outstanding overall system performance.” Design and initial integration planning work will be conducted at GE's Electrical Power Integration Centre in Cheltenham, UK, with final integration and procurement at its Electric Power Integrated Systems Center, the electrical power integration headquarters, in Dayton, Ohio.

Aerion's AS2 is the first-ever privately built supersonic commercial aircraft. Designed to be inherently environmentally friendly, the AS2 is the first supersonic aircraft with the ability to accept 100 percent synthetic fuel. It is also the first to be designed without an afterburner. The 12 passenger business jet is scheduled to begin flight testing in 2024.