Supersonic Aerion - AINalerts

September 24, 2015

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New Supersonic Age in Flight Coming, Says Aerion Chief Speaking at the Wichita Aero Club on Monday evening, Aerion Corp. chairman Brian Barents said that “we are on the verge of a new supersonic age” in air travel. Aerion, in partnership with Airbus, is developing the Mach 1.5+ AS2 supersonic business jet (SSBJ), which is now expected to be certified in 2023. Final assembly is likely to be conducted in the U.S., he revealed. The company’s market studies suggest a demand for 600 SSBJs over 20 years, even at the three-engine AS2’s $120 million price point and with a restriction that the aircraft be operated at subsonic speeds over land, he noted. “For the first 10 to 15 years, the supersonic market will consist of entrepreneurs, ultra-high-net-worth individuals and, over time, more corporate customers, as well as perhaps governments,” Barents told attendees. “These will be the pioneers of the new supersonic age.” Speaking about the AS2’s powerplant, he said that Aerion is seeking an engine that meets Stage 4 noise and emissions standards, as well as provides for growth. “We have had some fruitful discussions with the major engine suppliers,” Barents noted, “about which we hope to have more to say soon.” He said the largest hurdle for the company is not sonic boom mitigation—since the AS2 can reach about 5,000 nm at either Mach 0.95 or Mach 1.4—but meeting airport noise standards.