Could Lead To Advancement Of Supersonic Business Jet

Airbus Group and Aerion Corporation have agreed to collaborate on technologies associated with the future of high-performance flight. To further their mutual objectives, both companies will exchange knowledge and capabilities in design, manufacturing and certification.

For Aerion, this means collaboration to advance the development and commercialization of the Aerion AS2 supersonic business jet.

Under the agreement, Airbus Group, through its Defense and Space division, will provide technical and certification support, which will include the assignment of senior engineering staff to Aerion's expanding development organization. Aerion and Airbus Defence and Space professionals will work together at Aerion's new and larger engineering offices in Reno, NV.

"This is a major step forward for Aerion," said the company's chairman and principal investor, Robert M. Bass. "It puts us solidly on track toward our objective of certifying the world's first supersonic business jet in 2021. Needless to say, we are thrilled with the resources Airbus Group will bring to the program."

Over the longer term, Aerion will provide proprietary technology and assistance to Airbus Group in its high-performance aircraft technology development. These technologies include Aerion's extensive research, its proprietary design tools and patented aerodynamic designs.

"Aerion's pioneering work has broad applications for both performance and efficiency. We are looking forward to a fruitful cooperation," said Jean Botti, Airbus Group Chief Technical Officer.

The joint effort provides expanded engineering capabilities to Aerion as it enters a design phase in which propulsion systems, structures, avionics and equipment are specified and sourced. Under the current timeline, Aerion is targeting first flight of the AS2 in the 2019 timeframe.

"This agreement accomplishes two major objectives," according to 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 more than a decade of successful research and proprietary high-performance aircraft technology."

Initial collaboration activities have commenced between engineering teams from Aerion and Airbus Defense and Space, which is Airbus Group's principal liaison organization for AS2 development.

(Image provided by Aerion)

FMI: www.aerionsupersonic.com, www.airbus.com