A Journey Through The Years Of Aerion’s AS2 Supersonic BizJet
May 26, 2021
Following Aerion's announcement on May 21 confirming that it is ceasing operations of its AS2 business jet program, we take a look back through the Aviation Week article archives to explore the developments over the years.
From seeking a manufacturer partner in 2009 to Boeing's "significant investment" in 2019, the jet has had quite a journey over the last couple of decades.
Aerion Still Seeking Manufacturer For Its Supersonic Bizjet Design
May 18, 2009
Aerion Corp., which is still looking for a manufacturing partner to develop, certify and build its supersonic business jet design, is not getting an eager reception among the established makers of bizjets.
Supersonic Business Jet Aerion Still Seeks Builder
April 9, 2012
Paper airplanes—not the kind schoolboys fold and toss, but rather the detailed imaginings designers hope will one day take full form and ply the world's airways—could be bound into a thick volume of dreams unfulfilled. Most are quickly forgotten, but a few are so bold in concept and their backers so stubborn that, however unlikely, they might someday actually take flight.
Aerion Taking Orders, Sets Price On Supersonic Jet
May 19, 2015
Aerion Corp. has opened its order book and set a price for its AS2 supersonic business jet: $120 million in 2015 dollars. The first 50 customers will receive preferential pricing and other benefits available only during the first round of orders.
Aerion Looking To U.S. To Produce Supersonic Jet
September 24, 2015
Final assembly for Aerion’s AS2 supersonic business jet will likely take place in the U.S., Aerion Co-Chairman Brian Barents told attendees at the Wichita Aero Club on Sept. 21, where he was the keynote speaker.
Aerion Gets Boost From Flexjet Order For 20 Supersonic Jets
November 19, 2015
Flexjet has placed a firm order valued at $2.4 billion for 20 Aerion AS2 supersonic jets, with delivery to begin in 2023. First flight of the aircraft is expected in 2021.
Lockheed Joins Aerion To Advance Supersonic Business Jet
December 15, 2017
After 14 years of work, Aerion is ramping up development of the AS2 supersonic business jet following the signing of an agreement with Lockheed Martin that it hopes will lead to the defense giant investing in the program and becoming the airframe supplier.
Aerion Closes In On Supersonic AS2 Program Launch
July 3, 2018
Supersonic business jet developer Aerion says it remains on track to launch the Mach 1.4 AS2 within the next few months. Aerion also said it is targeting a transatlantic flight from New York to London in October 2023 to mark the 20th anniversary of the retirement of the Anglo-French Concorde.
Aerion Lays Out Supersonic Road Map
October 15, 2018
Supersonic business jet developer Aerion has officially launched preliminary design of its 12-seater, Mach 1.4-capable AS2 and revealed ambitions to develop bigger and faster follow-on variants, including potential commercial models.
Aerion’s AS2 Supersonic Business Jet Edges Closer To Reality
October 19, 2018
Unveiled at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) convention in detail almost exactly 71 years to the day after Gen. (ret.) Charles “Chuck” Yeager broke the sound barrier, General Electric’s Affinity engine for Aerion’s AS2 was the strongest signal yet that the era of supersonic business aviation is finally getting underway.
Boeing Announces Investment In Supersonic Aircraft Developer Aerion
February 5, 2019
Boeing has made a “significant investment” in supersonic business-jet developer Aerion to accelerate development of its Mach 1.4 AS2. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. Boeing will provide engineering, manufacturing and flight test resources, as well as “strategic vertical content,” to bring the 12-passenger AS2 to market, the company said in a statement Feb. 5.
Boeing’s Aerion Investment Brings Supersonic Air Travel A Step Closer
Febraury 8, 2019
For a company developing a sleek and speedy aircraft, Aerion has been forced to follow a slow and twisty road. But now that Boeing has invested in the 15-year startup, its path to certifying and delivering the AS2 supersonic business jet in 2025 looks straighter and smoother.
Spirit To Design Supersonic Bizjet Fuselage For Aerion
February 21, 2019
Hard on the heels of Boeing making a significant investment in Aerion, one of its biggest suppliers has signed on to design the forward fuselage for the supersonic business jet developer’s Mach 1.4 aircraft, the AS2.
Aerion Adds Safran As Supersonic Bizjet Partner
December 22, 2019
Safran has joined supersonic jet developer Aerion as a “major partner” for its 12-seater AS2 Mach 1.4 corporate transport currently in development with Boeing and engine supplier GE Aviation.
Aerion Unveils Major Updates To AS2 Supersonic Business Jet Design
April 17, 2020
As its team of aerospace heavyweights continues to grow, aircraft developer Aerion Supersonic has unveiled a finalized design for the AS2 business jet, which it believes is not only sustainable but also lays a solid foundation for a follow-on family of high-speed commercial and military derivatives.
Aerion Confirms AS2 Slide But Supplier Team Remains Intact
June 18, 2020
Aircraft developer Aerion Supersonic confirms that the COVID-19 pandemic has forced it to delay development of the AS2 supersonic business jet, pushing first flight back from 2024 to 2025, but says the overall program otherwise continues as planned.
Podcast: Sustainability And Supersonics With Aerion CEO Tom Vice
July 22, 2020
With the groundbreaking of Aerion’s new Florida headquarters approaching, company CEO Tom Vice talks to Senior Propulsion Editor Guy Norris about the design, development, and sustainability of its newly reconfigured AS2 supersonic business jet.
Spirit AeroSystems Commits To Production Role For Aerion AS2
July 28, 2020
Spirit AeroSystems has started a long transition into the production phase for the Aerion AS2 supersonic business jet. The Wichita-based supplier for mostly Boeing and Airbus commercial aircraft agreed to an expanded role on the AS2 that includes producing the forward fuselage, the companies announced on July 28.
AeroSystems Begins Transition For Work On Aerion AS2
August 14, 2020
In late July Spirit AeroSystems began a long transition into the production phase for the Aerion AS2. The Wichita-based supplier for mostly Boeing and Airbus commercial aircraft agreed to an expanded role on the AS2 that includes producing the supersonic business jet’s forward fuselage.
Aerion Gets Space Florida Investment Boost
August 20, 2020
Florida’s aerospace and spaceport development authority Space Florida has agreed to invest in Aerion Supersonic in a deal aimed at supporting development of the high-speed aircraft manufacturer’s new production site in Melbourne on the state’s east coast.
Refined Aerion Supersonic Design Set For Wind Tunnel Tests
September 10, 2020
Supersonic aircraft developer Aerion is poised to begin high speed wind tunnel tests of its Mach 1.4 business jet with ONERA, the French aerospace research agency, in the run-up to a preliminary design review in 2021.
Aerion AS2: A $5 Billion Supersonic Saga
November 16, 2020
It’s the history of aviation. Go faster, higher, farther. So, imagine a world, a decade or more from now, when people can fly between most business destinations in 3 hr. or less. Leave New York at dawn, arrive in London in time for lunch, depart after 6 hr. of meetings and fly back to the U.S. East Coast for dinner with the family and help with the kids’ homework.
Aerion Links With Spire For Boomless Supersonic Cruise
November 23, 2020
Supersonic business jet developer Aerion has teamed with satellite company Spire Global to supply the high-fidelity weather data critical to the aircraft maker’s goal of achieving Mach 1-plus cruise speeds without generating a sonic boom on the ground.
Aerion Partners With China's Avion On Supersonic Market
December 9, 2020
China-based general aviation services company Avion Pacific has signed a strategic collaboration deal with aircraft developer Aerion to support its sales and marketing efforts in the Asia-Pacific region as well as operate several of the U.S. company’s AS2 supersonic business jets.
Universal Avionics Signs On As Aerion AS2 Supplier
January 7, 2021
Universal Avionics will supply its enhanced flight vision system (EFVS) for the future Aerion AS2 supersonic business jet, the avionics company announced Jan. 6.
Podcast: Aerion AS2 Program Update
January 8, 2021
Matthew Mejía, Aerion chief financial officer and executive vice president strategy and investor relations, discusses the status of the AS2 supersonic business jet program with Bill Carey, Business and Commercial Aviation senior editor.
NASA Steps Up Civil Hypersonic Studies With Aerion, GE
February 9, 2021
NASA is transitioning long-running hypersonic technology studies increasingly toward potential commercial applications and has awarded two new contracts supporting high speed design and propulsion work to Aerion Supersonic and GE Aviation respectively.
NetJets, FlightSafety Strike Deal With Aerion For Supersonic Bizjets, Training
March 3, 2021
Fractional ownership provider NetJets and training specialist FlightSafety International have signed a broad-ranging agreement with Aerion which includes purchase rights on 20 AS2 supersonic business jets and the establishment of a training academy for operators of the Mach 1.4 aircraft.
Aerion Unveils AS3 Mach 4-Plus Airliner Concept
March 29, 2021
Supersonic business jet developer Aerion has released the first image of a planned follow-on airliner concept designed for entry-into-service around the end of the decade which will cruise at higher Mach cruise numbers closer to the hypersonic region.
Aerion Ceasing Operations Of AS2 Jet, Company Says
May 22, 2021
Supersonic aircraft developer Aerion Corp. on May 21 confirmed that it is ceasing operations of its AS2 business jet program after years of development, citing difficulty in raising the capital needed to complete production. Employees were told of the development the same day.
Following Aerion's announcement on May 21 confirming that it is ceasing operations of its AS2 business jet program, we take a look back through the Aviation Week article archives to explore the developments over the years.
From seeking a manufacturer partner in 2009 to Boeing's "significant investment" in 2019, the jet has had quite a journey over the last couple of decades.
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