While it won’t be ready in time for Christmas, two aviation leaders in the supersonic arena, Aerion and Lockheed Martin, are joining forces to develop, are you ready…the world’s first supersonic business jet.
Aerion and Lockheed Martin just announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to explore the feasibility of a joint development of the world’s first supersonic business jet, the Aerion AS2.
According to their press release, over the next 12 months, the companies will work together to develop a framework on all phases of the program, including engineering, certification and production.
Lockheed Martin, known for developing the world’s leading supersonic combat aircraft, the F-16, the F-35, and F-22, as well as the Mach 3+ SR-71 reconnaissance aircraft, is committed to fostering new innovations and developing supersonic technologies with civil and commercial applications.
The MOU is the result of extensive discussions between Aerion and Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works®Advanced Development Programs team. For close to 75 years, Skunk Works has existed to create revolutionary aircraft that push the boundaries of what is possible.
During the last two and a half years, Aerion advanced the aerodynamics and structural design of the AS2 through a previous engineering collaboration agreement with Airbus. Through that effort, the two companies developed a preliminary design of wing and airframe structures, systems layout, and preliminary concepts for a fly-by-wire flight control system.
The 12-passenger AS2 is expected to fly at a maximum speed of Mach 1.4 over water, and, where permitted by regulation, at speeds approaching Mach 1.2 without a sonic boom reaching the ground. Thanks to its unique supersonic natural laminar flow wing, the aircraft is expected to achieve long range (LA to Paris) and efficiency at supersonic and subsonic speeds. Once fielded, it will reduce trans-Atlantic trips by as much as three hours, enabling business leaders to fly round-trip between New York and London in a day
Features:
AS2 interior carries 12 in large-business-jet comfort up to 5,400 nautical miles (6,215 statute miles/10,000 km).
Maximum cruise speed is Mach 1.4, about 55 percent faster than today’s fastest commercial jets, at a speed greater than 1,000 mph/1,600 …
Aerion Chairman Robert M. Bass stated, “This relationship is absolutely key to creating a supersonic renaissance. When it comes to supersonic know-how, Lockheed Martin’s capabilities are well known, and, in fact, legendary. We share with Lockheed Martin a commitment to the long-term development of efficient civil supersonic aircraft.”
“We are excited to work with Aerion on their development of the next-generation, efficient supersonic jet that will potentially serve as a platform for pioneering future supersonic aircraft,” said Orlando Carvalho, Executive Vice President, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics.
More information can be found here.
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