- Development Engine
- Design
- Orders
- Specifications (AS2)
- See also
- References
- External links
| name= AS2 | image= File:Aerion AS2 BlueSky LR.jpg | caption= }}{{Infobox aircraft type | type= Supersonic business jet | national origin= United States | manufacturer= Aerion | first flight= | introduced= | retired= | status= | primary user= | more users= | produced= | number built= | unit cost= ${{#expr:2400/20}}M[1] | developed from = Aerion SBJ | developed into = | program cost= $4 billion[1]
}} |
The Aerion AS2 is a supersonic business jet under development by Aerion Corporation. It was announced in May 2014 as a larger Aerion SBJ redesign, targeting introduction after a seven years development. Aerion partnered with Airbus in September. In December 2017, Airbus was replaced by Lockheed Martin. Its General Electric Affinity engine was unveiled in October 2018. In February 2019, Boeing replaced Lockheed Martin. The 12-passenger aircraft aims for Mach 1.6 with a supersonic natural laminar flow wing for a minimum projected range of 4,750nm (8,800km). A $4 billion development cost is anticipated, for a market for 300 over 10 years and 500 overall for $120 million each. DevelopmentBy May 2014, Aerion had invested over $100 million for technology development.[2] The company announced at the May 2014 EBACE that it is redesigning its previous Aerion SBJ with a larger cabin, more range and three yet unspecified engines for a $100 million-plus target price, and that it aims to fly a prototype in late 2018 / early 2019 and certify the plane in 2021.[3] Aerion intends to finance $3 billion of development, reducing risk for industry partners.[4] In September 2014, Aerion partnered with Airbus.[5] Airbus Defence have supersonic expertise and resources available.[6]The unit cost was predicted to be {{US$|120 million}} at the May 2015 EBACE.[7] In 2015 it was scheduled to enter service in 2023.[8] In May 2017, Aerion was hoping to launch it in early 2018.[9] In December 2017, Aerion and Lockheed Martin announced they would explore its joint development without Airbus, aiming to fly in 2023 and to be certificated in 2025.[10][11] On December 15, after discussions with Lockheed’s Skunk Works, they announced a MoU to explore over a year the joint development of the supersonic business jet: engineering, certification and production. The company is financed by Robert Bass and anticipates a $4 billion development costs. Aerion forecasts a market for 300 AS2s over 10 years and 500 overall for $120 million each. A faster (Mach 1.6), larger-cabin, longer-range successor could follow as a business jet and small airliner, while new engines would be needed above Mach 1.8.[17] Lockheed’s contract expired on February 1, 2019.[18] On February 5, Boeing announced its investment in Aerion, and will provide engineering, manufacturing and flight test resources to introduce the AS2, maintaining a 2023 first flight.[19][20] Billionaire backer Robert Bass left Aerion’s board of directors, and Tom Vice replaced him as chairman after being promoted to president, CEO and board member in August.[21] Boeing gained two seats on Aerion’s five-person board while the amount of its investment was undisclosed.[22] EngineIn May 2017, Aerion Selected GE Aviation to study the final engine configuration.[23] Though initially designed with a modified Pratt & Whitney JT8D, the General Electric Affinity was selected in May 2017 to power the AS2; its initial design was completed in 2018 before its detailed design in 2020 for the first prototype production.[1] Its high-pressure core is derived from the CFM56, matched to a new twin fan low-pressure section for a reduced bypass ratio better suited to supersonic flight. General Electric's intentions on the project were confirmed at the 2018 National Business Aviation Association's annual conference.[24] DesignIt aims for Mach 1.6 with a supersonic natural laminar flow wing and a projected maximum takeoff weight of 52,200kg (115,000lb) for a minimum projected range of 4,750nm (8,800km)[5] The wing should reduce aerodynamic drag by 20% and the cabin should seat up to 12 passengers.[25] NASA has issued a contract to model supersonic boom on ground.[26] New noise regulations coming in 2020 caused Aerion to change the design from two to three engines.[27] Noise regulations will limit it at 54,400 kg (120,000 lb) which will limit range.[1] The AS2 will not incorporate the technology from the Low Boom Flight Demonstrator built by Lockheed's Skunk Works as it would have to be included from the start, but a following AS3 may.[16] OrdersIn November 2015, Flexjet confirmed that they had placed a firm order valued at $2.4 billion for twenty Aerion AS2s, with delivery to begin in 2023.[28] Flexjet CEO Kenn Ricci said the company would use the supersonic jet for overseas flights and also in China, which does not have restrictions on sonic booms. Ricci noted that, with the aircraft traveling at Mach 1.2, its boom would not reach the ground, possibly allowing regulators to permit supersonic flight over land. Flexjet, owned by Directional Aviation Capital, offers customers fractional ownership of aircraft, rather than outright purchase.[29] Specifications (AS2){{Aircraft specs
|ref=Aerion[30]
|prime units?=kts
|crew=2
|capacity=8–11 passengers
|length ft=170
|span ft=77
|height ft=22
|wing area sqft=1,511
|max takeoff weight lb=133,000
|more general=- Fuel capacity: 59,084 lbs / 26,800 kg
- Interior: 30 feet long, 6'2" high, 7'6" wide (9.1 × 1.9 × 2.2 m)
|eng1 number=3
|eng1 name= General Electric Affinity
|eng1 type=turbofan
|eng1 lbf=18000[16]
|cruise speed kts={{convert|1.4|Mach|51,000|knots|0||disp=number}}
|cruise speed note=Mach 1.4, subsonic: Mach 0.95, boomless: Mach 1.1–1.2
|range nmi=4,200
|range note=at Mach 1.4, 5,400 nm / 10,000 km at Mach 0.95
|more performance=- Balanced field length at ISA, {{abbr|SL|Sea Level}}: 7,500ft / 2,286m
}}See also{{aircontent
|related=
|similar aircraft=- Boom Technology Overture
- Concorde
- HyperMach SonicStar
- SAI Quiet Supersonic Transport
- Spike S-512
- Sukhoi-Gulfstream S-21
- Tupolev Tu-444
|lists=
|see also=- Supersonic business jet
- Supersonic transport
}}References1. ^1 2 {{cite web |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/analysis-the-dream-of-resuming-supersonic-flight-ra-436947/ |title= The dream of resuming supersonic flight ramps up |date= 16 May 2017 |work= Flightglobal |author= Stephen Trimble }}
2. ^{{cite press release |url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150119012827/http://www.aerionsupersonic.com/pdf/41.pdf |title= Aerion unveils larger, three engine supersonic business jet tailored to emerging global demand |publisher= Aerion |date= 19 May 2014}}
3. ^{{cite news |author= Chad Trautvetter |url= https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/ainalerts/2014-05-20/aerion-ssbj-now-trijet-bigger-cabin-more-range |title= Aerion SSBJ Now a Trijet with Bigger Cabin, More Range |work= Aviation International News |date= 20 May 2014}}
4. ^{{cite news |author= Molly McMillin |url= https://www.kansas.com/news/business/aviation/article1144418.html |title= Aerion Makes Design Changes In Supersonic Business Jet |work= The Wichita Eagle |date= 27 May 2014}}
5. ^1 {{cite news |url= http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/aerion-advances-supersonic-ambitions-with-airbus-collaboration-404004/ |title= Aerion advances supersonic ambitions with Airbus collaboration |work=Flightglobal |date= 22 September 2014}}
6. ^{{cite news |url= http://leehamnews.com/2014/09/23/odds-and-ends-wrap-up-from-istat-europe-conference-airbus-group-joins-aerion-to-create-biz-jet/ |title= Airbus Group teams up with Aerion |work= Leeham News |date= 23 September 2014}}
7. ^{{cite news |url= http://www.flyingmag.com/aircraft/jets/aerion-taking-orders-as2-supersonic-bizjet?src=SOC&dom=fb |title=Aerion Taking Orders for AS2 Supersonic Bizjet |work= Flying Magazine |date= May 19, 2015}}
8. ^{{cite web |url= http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2015-09-23/new-supersonic-age-flight-coming-says-aerion-chief |title= New Supersonic Age in Flight Coming, Says Aerion Chief |work= Aviation International News |date= September 23, 2015}}
9. ^{{cite news |url= http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2017-05-22/aerion-eyes-early-2018-as2-launch-ge-engines |title= Aerion Eyes Early 2018 for AS2 Launch with GE Engines |author= Kerry Lynch |date= May 22, 2017 |work= Aviation International News}}
10. ^{{cite news |url= https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2017-12-13/aerion-lockheed-plan-as2-ssbj-announcement-friday |title= Aerion, Lockheed Plan AS2 SSBJ Announcement by Friday |author= Chad Trautvetter |date= December 13, 2017 |work= Aviation International News}}
11. ^{{cite news |title=Planned supersonic business jet gets a lift from Lockheed Martin |url= https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/planned-supersonic-business-jet-gets-a-lift-from-lockheed-martin/ |date=15 Dec 2017 |work=The Seattle Times }}
12. ^-->Lockheed developed supersonic aircraft like the F-16, the F-35, F-22 and the Mach 3+ SR-71, and concluded the AS2 concept warrants time and resources investment after reviewing Aerion’s aerodynamic technology.Through a previous two-and-a-half-year engineering collaboration with Airbus, Aerion advanced the AS2 aerodynamics and designed a preliminary wing and airframe structures, systems layout and fly-by-wire control system concept.[{{cite press release |url= https://www.aerionsupersonic.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Aerion-and-Lockheed-Martin-Joint-Press-Release.pdf |title= Aerion and Lockheed Martin Join Forces to Develop World’s First Supersonic Business Jet |date= December 15, 2017 |publisher= Aerion and Lockheed Martin }}]
13. ^{{cite news |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/lockheed-and-aerion-to-develop-supersonic-business-j-444243/ |title= Lockheed and Aerion to develop supersonic business jet |date= 15 Dec 2017 |author= Stephen Trimble |work= Flightglobal}}
14. ^{{cite news |url= https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2018-05-29/aerion-beefs-team-trek-toward-supersonic-flight |title= Aerion Beefs Up Team on Trek Toward Supersonic Flight |author= James Wynbrandt |date= May 29, 2018 |work= Aviation International News}}
15. ^{{cite news |url= https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2018-06-13/aerion-nearing-milestones-supersonic-as2 |title= Aerion Nearing Milestones on Supersonic AS2 |author= Chen Chuanren |date= June 13, 2018 |work= Aviation International News}}
16. ^1 2 -->First flight would be targeted in mid-2023 for a New York to London transatlantic flight in October, at the 20th anniversary of the retirement of the Concorde.Certification is aimed for late 2025 and entry-into-service in early 2026.Production will ramp up from 12 in 2026 to 23 in 2027 and should stabilize at 36 per year from 2028, although it could increase up to four per month.[{{cite news |url= http://aviationweek.com/business-aviation/aerion-closes-supersonic-as2-program-launch |title= Aerion Closes In On Supersonic AS2 Program Launch |date= Jul 3, 2018 |author= Guy Norris |work= Aviation Week Network}}]
17. ^1 2 3 4 5 {{cite news |url= https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2018-10-15/aerion-unveils-stage-5-ge-affinity-engine-supersonic-as2 |title= Aerion Unveils Stage 5 GE Affinity Engine for Supersonic AS2 |author= Mark Phelps |date= October 15, 2018 |work= AIN online}}
18. ^{{cite news |url= http://aviationweek.com/future-aerospace/boeing-s-aerion-investment-brings-supersonic-air-travel-step-closer |title= Boeing’s Aerion Investment Brings Supersonic Air Travel A Step Closer |date= Feb 8, 2019 |author= Graham Warwick |work= Aviation Week & Space Technology}}
19. ^{{cite press release |url= https://www.aerionsupersonic.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Joint_Aerion_Boeing.pdf |title= Boeing Partners with Aerion to Accelerate Supersonic Travel |date= Feb 5, 2019 |authors= Boeing, Aerion Supersonic}}
20. ^{{cite news |title= Boeing invests in advanced supersonic business jet |url= https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/boeing-invests-in-advanced-supersonic-business-jet/ |date= 5 February 2019 |work= The Seattle Times |author= Dominic Gates }}
21. ^{{cite news |url= https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2019-02-05/boeing-partners-aerion-bets-big-supersonics |title= Boeing Partners with Aerion, Bets Big on Supersonics |author= Chad Trautvetter |date= February 5, 2019 |work= AIN online}}
22. ^{{cite news |url= https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-02-05/billionaire-s-supersonic-jet-project-wins-backing-from-boeing |title= Billionaire Bass’s Supersonic Jet Dream Wins Boeing Backing |authors= Thomas Black and Julie Johnsson |date= 5 Feb 2019 |agency= bloomberg}}
23. ^{{cite news |title= Aerion Selects GE For AS2 Engine Definition Study |url= https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2017-05-23/aerion-selects-ge-as2-engine-definition-study |date=23 May 2017 |work=AIN Online }}
24. ^{{cite web |url=https://www.aviationtoday.com/2018/10/18/aerions-supersonic-as2-avionics-engine-confirmed-nbaa-2018/ |accessdate=January 10, 2018 |date=October 18, 2018 |author=Woodrow Bellamy III |title=Aerion’s Supersonic AS2 Avionics, Engine Confirmed at NBAA 2018 |work=Aviation Today}}
25. ^{{cite news |url= http://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/airbus-supersonic-jet |title= Airbus to help develop first supersonic business jet |work= CNN |date= September 24, 2014}}.
26. ^{{cite web |url= http://www.flyingmag.com/avionics-gear/instrumentaccessories/rockwell-collins-develop-sonic-boom-display |title= Rockwell Collins to Develop Sonic Boom Display |work= Flying Magazine |date= May 21, 2015}}
27. ^{{cite news |title= Aerion continues search for an US assembly site |newspaper= Flight global |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/dubai-aerion-continues-search-for-us-assembly-site-418885/ |date= 10 November 2015}}.
28. ^1 {{cite news |url= http://aviationweek.com/business-aviation/flexjet-order-20-supersonic-jets-boosts-aerion |title= Flexjet Order For 20 Supersonic Jets Boosts Aerion |work= Aviation Week |date= Nov 18, 2015}}
29. ^{{cite web |url= https://www.reuters.com/article/2015/11/17/flexjet-orders-aerion-idUSL3N13C5HT20151117#1iyoQGMzwwSPprhm.97 |title= Flexjet orders 20 supersonic business jets from Aerion |work=Reuters |date= 17 November 2015}}
30. ^{{cite web |url = https://www.aerionsupersonic.com |title= Performance Objectives & Specifications |publisher= Aerion |date= 2018 }}
External links- {{official website|http://www.aerionsupersonic.com/}}.
{{Supersonic transport}} 4 : Aerion aircraft|Proposed aircraft of the United States|Supersonic business jets|Trijets |