Aerion Supersonic announced yesterday (July 28th) that Spirit AeroSystems will develop the forward fuselage for the AS2 – further expanding Spirit’s role in the supersonic business jet’s development. As part of the agreement, Spirit has committed further investment in the AS2 programme and has upped engineering resources working on the design of the forward fuselage.

Tom Vice, Aerion’s chairman, President and CEO, said: “Spirit AeroSystems has been an outstanding partner in the design and development of the AS2, and their considerable aerostructures expertise has proven a core enabler in the evolution of our programme. I’m delighted to have expanded our already excellent relationship and look forward to continued collaboration between our two companies as we bring the AS2 to market.”

Aerion and Spirit first collaborated in early 2019, working on early designs of the AS2’s forward, pressurised fuselage. Joining the project in its formative stages , Spirit’s technical expertise has significantly advanced the design evolution with entry into production now just three years away, said Aerion. At full capacity, it is expected that Spirit will build 36 forward fuselage assemblies per year.

“Through our collaboration with Aerion, we have contributed innovative and cost-effective design solutions to help make the AS2 Supersonic Jet a reality,” said Tom Gentile, President and CEO, Spirit AeroSystems. “With our expanded agreement, Spirit will bring both its manufacturing and design capabilities to this revolutionary aircraft programme.”

Aerion’s AS2, when in service post-2023, will be the first supersonic jet powered wholly by synthetic fuel and able to reach supersonic speeds without the need for an afterburner.

Elsewhere, Aerion and Jetex have signed a partnership which will see AS2 supersonic business jets flying from Jetex terminals when it comes into service in 2025. The partnership will also see Jetex offer what it calls a “brand-new suite of services” tailored to AS2 clients.