Nevada based Aerion Corporation has selected GE Aviation to develop an engine for its Aerion AS2 supersonic business jet. The company...
Nevada based Aerion Corporation has selected GE Aviation to develop an engine for its Aerion AS2 supersonic business jet.
The company was formed in 2002 and plans to reintroduce commercial supersonic flights with the AS2, that ceased after the retirement of the venerable Anglo-French Concorde supersonic airliner in October 2013.
After two years of preliminary study, Aerion Corporation and GE Aviation have launched a formal process to define and evaluate a final engine configuration for the aircraft.
Aerion has evaluated over two dozen civil and military engines from all leading engine producers over the past two years before selecting GE Aviation.
The low bypass engine will be in the 15,000 lb. thrust range. The original Aerion supersonic business jet was to be powered by twin 19, 600 lb. thrust Pratt & Whitney JT8D low bypass engines. But was discarded due to its limited growth potential.
The triple engined AS2 retains a supersonic natural laminar flow wing, the key enabling technology behind practical and efficient supersonic and high-subsonic flight.
Aerion says the AS2 will match today's long-range business jets in all aspects including cabin dimensions and range.
With a top speed of Mach 1.5, the AS2 is designed to carry 8 to 12 passengers to more than 4,750 nautical miles at supersonic speed, saving three hours across the Atlantic versus subsonic aircraft and more than six hours on longer trans-Pacific routes.
Fuselage length is 160 feet and maximum takeoff weight is 115,000 pounds. Minimum projected range is 4,750 nautical miles with the intention to achieve a range of more than 5,000 nautical miles.
The aircraft will have a 30-foot cabin in a two-lounge layout plus galley and both forward and aft lavatories, plus a baggage compartment that is accessible in-flight. Cabin dimensions widen from entryway to the aft seating area where height is six feet, two inches and cabin width is seven feet, three inches.
The aircraft will have two cruise “sweet spots,” where range and efficiency are at a maximum: one at about .95 Mach, for efficient cruise where supersonic flight is prohibited; and one at about Mach 1.4. At both speeds, total operating cost will be comparable to today’s largest ultra-long-range business jets.
Estimated to cost $100 million, Aerion now targets to achieve first flight by 2023 and FAA certification by 2025.
Fractional business jet ownership company Flexjet has placed firm order for 20 aircraft.
