Nevada-headquartered Aerion Supersonic has selected Safran as a major partner for its AS2 business jet. Two Safran companies have already come on board: Safran Landing Systems will design the complete braking and landing gear system, from main and nose landing gears to wheels and brakes, including extension/retraction, monitoring and steering systems, at its engineering centres in Canada and France; and Safran Nacelles will design the AS2 nacelles, including the engines' inlets, fan cowl doors and thrust reverser, in France.

“Safran is a well-known global group that has been designing, developing and manufacturing aircraft equipment for over a century,” says Aerion CEO Tom Vice. “It is that wealth of experience, paired with Safran's eye toward the future and our shared commitment to sustainability, that makes us feel so confident about this relationship.”

The company has also chosen French complex aerostructure assemblies manufacturer Potez Aéronautique to design the doors. “Potez is an incredibly innovative company with decades of proven experience and successful programme performance,” adds Vice. “We are excited to have them on the AS2 team for the design and development of the aircraft doors, including the main passenger entry door.”

Aerion's AS2 is a privately built 12 passenger supersonic commercial aircraft that can accept 100 per cent synthetic fuel and has no afterburner. Flight testing is scheduled to commence in 2024.