Remember Aerion Supersonic’s bold ambitious to create a the first supersonic private jet? Well, the Nevada-based aerospace company has announced a partnership with American aircraft maker, Boeing, to advance its cause. Oh, wait. Actually, it was Boeing whom made the announcement. As part of the agreement, Boeing will provide financial, engineering and industrial resources to help accelerate technology development and aircraft design to bring the AS2 to the market.
To recap, Aerion AS2 will be the world’s first supersonic business jet that is capable of speeds of up to Mach 1.4, or about 1,000 miles an hour (or 1,610 km/h). If anyone is counting, that is 70 percent faster than the business jets of today. It is not quite as fast the the iconic as the retired Concorde Supersonic Jet, but at Mach 1.4, the Aerion AS2 will be able to make a transatlantic flight in just three hours as opposed to eight hours on a regular passenger jet.
It looks like the numbers have been reduced. When it first unveiled, Aerion AS2 had eyed at Mach 1.6 (or 1,218 mph/1,960 km/h) top speed and a cruising speed of Mach 1.1-1.2. As of now, the “AS2 Mission Planning” page confirmed the Mach 1.4 speed and an over land cruise subsonic cruise speed of March 0.95 to avoid sonic boom that may irks Earth dwellers who may be going about their daily routine down below.
Interestingly, Aerion has trademarked BOOMLESS CRUISE that will allow the 150-foot (51.8 meters) long aircraft with unusual stubby wings to make speeds approaching Mach 1.2 (about 920 mph, or 1,482 km/h) depending on atmospheric conditions such as temperature and wind. Aerion said it will work with certifying authorities to approve this cruise capability.
First announced back in 2014, the Aerion AS2 is a 12-passenger business jet which was followed up by the company revealing the AS2’s GE Affinity engine design last year.
All images courtesy of Aerion Supersonic.