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| Aerion AS2 Supersonic business jet. Photo: Aerion |
[Avionics Today 09-22-2014] Airbus and Aerion have agreed to exchange knowledge and capabilities in design, manufacturing and certification on technologies associated with the future of high-performance flight. Under the agreement, Airbus, through its defense and space division, will provide technical and certification support to advance the development and commercialization of the Aerion AS2 supersonic business jet. The collaboration will include the assignment of senior Airbus Defence and Space engineering staff to Aerion’s engineering offices in Reno, Nev.
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.
“[The collaboration] puts us solidly on track toward our objective of certifying the world’s first supersonic business jet in 2021,” said the company’s chairman and principal investor, Robert M. Bass.