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Aerion AS2

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AS2
Role Supersonic business jet
National origin United States
Manufacturer Aerion
Developed from Aerion SBJ

The Aerion AS2 is a supersonic business jet designed by Aerion Corporation in collaboration with Airbus.

Development

Aerion 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, it aims to fly a prototype in late 2018 / early 2019 and certify the plane in 2021.[1][2] The unit cost was predicted to be US$120 million at the May 2015 EBACE.[3]

In 2015 it was scheduled to enter service in 2023.[4] In May 2017, Aerion was hoping to launch it in early 2018.[5]

Design

The AS2 will fly at a speed of Mach 1.5, using supersonic laminar flow technology, and the wing design will allow for lower fuel consumption and increased travel ranges by reducing aerodynamic drag by 20%. The cabin is designed to accommodate up to 12 passengers.[6] NASA has issued a contract to model supersonic boom on ground.[7] New noise regulations coming in 2020 caused Aerion to change the design from two to three engines.[8]

Noise regulations will limit it at 54,400 kg (120,000 lb) which will limit range. It was initially designed with a modified Pratt & Whitney JT8D but engine selection is difficult even if GE Aviation and Rolls-Royce Plc have expressed their interest.[9] At the May 2017 EBACE, Aerion announced its selection of GE Aviation.[10]

Orders

In 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.[11] 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.[12]

Specifications (AS2)

Data from Aerion[13]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2[verification needed]
  • Capacity: 8–12 passengers[11]
  • Length: 170 ft (52 m)
  • Wingspan: 61 ft (19 m)
  • Height: 22 ft (6.7 m)
  • Wing area: 1,350 sq ft (125 m2)
  • Empty weight: 47,250 lb (21,432 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 121,000 lb (54,885 kg)
  • Interior: 30 feet long, 6'2" high, 7'6" wide (9.1 * 1.9 * 2.2 m)
  • Powerplant: 3 × GE Aviation low bypass ratio turbofan, 15,000–17,000[5] lbf (67–76 kN) thrust each

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 860 kn (990 mph, 1,590 km/h) Mach 1.5
  • Cruise speed: 803 kn (924 mph, 1,487 km/h) Mach 1.4, subsonic: Mach 0.95, boomless: Mach 1.1–1.2
  • Range: 4,750 nmi (5,470 mi, 8,800 km) at Mach 1.4, 5,300nm / 9,816km at Mach 0.95
  • Service ceiling: 51,000 ft (16,000 m)
  • Balanced field length at ISA, SL: 7,500ft / 2,286m

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References

  1. ^ Chad Trautvetter (20 May 2014). "Aerion SSBJ Now a Trijet with Bigger Cabin, More Range". Aviation International News.
  2. ^ "Aerion advances supersonic ambitions with Airbus collaboration". Flightglobal. 22 September 2014.
  3. ^ "Aerion Taking Orders for AS2 Supersonic Bizjet". Flying Magazine. May 19, 2015.
  4. ^ "New Supersonic Age in Flight Coming, Says Aerion Chief". Aviation International News. September 23, 2015.
  5. ^ a b Kerry Lynch (May 22, 2017). "Aerion Eyes Early 2018 for AS2 Launch with GE Engines". Aviation International News.
  6. ^ "Airbus to help develop first supersonic business jet". CNN. September 24, 2014..
  7. ^ "Rockwell Collins to Develop Sonic Boom Display". Flying Magazine. May 21, 2015.
  8. ^ "Aerion continues search for an US assembly site". Flight global. 10 November 2015..
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference Flight16may2017 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ Fred George (May 22, 2017). "Supersonic Aerion Selects GE Engine". ShowNews. Aviation Week Network.
  11. ^ a b "Flexjet Order For 20 Supersonic Jets Boosts Aerion". Aviation Week. Nov 18, 2015.
  12. ^ "Flexjet orders 20 supersonic business jets from Aerion". Reuters. 17 November 2015.
  13. ^ "Aerion AS2 General Specifications and Performance Objectives" (PDF). Aerion. April 2015.
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