Aerion adds Spirit AeroSystems to AS2 supersonic bizjet program

Aerion Corp. and Wichita, Kansas-based Spirit AeroSystems have agreed to collaborate on the preliminary design of the AS2 supersonic business jet's forward, pressurized fuselage.

"Joining a project team this early allows us to apply our technical expertise and commercial best practices to make the most positive impact," said Tom Gentile, president and CEO, Spirit AeroSystems. "We can create cost-efficient, innovative engineering solutions that take into account Spirit's highly efficient manufacturing processes. We are proud to be selected by Aerion for this program and look forward to contributing to the success of this ground-breaking new airplane."

"The AS2 will revolutionize global mobility," said Aerion Chairman, CEO, and President Tom Vice. "We are proud to partner with Spirit AeroSystems. They are a leader in aircraft composite structures, and we are excited that they have joined the AS2 team."

Spirit expects to immediately begin preliminary development efforts. Aerion's 12-passenger AS2 is up to 70% faster than today's business aircraft. Supersonic cruise speed is Mach 1.4, about 1,000mph. It saves as much as three hours across the Atlantic and more than five hours across the Pacific.