Professional Pilot, January 2018

Aerion and Lockheed Martin sign MOU on GE powered AS2 SSBJ Aerion expects AS2 s unique laminar fl ow wing to fl y effi ciently at both subsonic and supersonic speeds over long distances NY to London roundtrip in 1 day Offering routes such as LA to Paris up to 3 hours could be saved on a trans Atlantic crossing by achieving 14 Mach over water and 12 Mach over land where regulations allow without a sonic boom reaching the ground 20 PROFESSIONAL PILOT January 2018 20 PROFESSIONAL PILOT January 2018 According to Aerion Chairman Executive Brian Barents AS2 s 12 passenger cabin will offer the amenities space and quiet comfort available in subsonic business jets Aerion Chairman Robert Bass GE VP Gen Mgr Business General Aviation Integrated Systems Brad Mottier Exec VP Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Orlando Carvalho and Aerion Chairman Exec Brian Barents made statements and answered questions in this joint press conference Photos courtesy Aerion Photo by José Vásquez In a joint press conference on Dec 15 at the National Press Club in Washington DC Aerion took another step towards realizing the worlds 1st Supersonic Business Jet SSBJ by announcing a Memo of Understanding MOU with Lockheed Martin The MOU also builds on an alliance made with GE Aviation in May 2017 to defi ne a supersonic engine for the AS2 This latest formal agreement is based on Aerions recent discussions with Lockheeds Skunk Works Advanced Development Programs team and a company steeped in decades of supersonic innovation and technology including the F22 F35 and SR71 Blackbird This MOU defi nes a 12 month process where Aerion and Lockheed Martin will determine the feasibility of a joint development of the AS2 Frameworks will explore everything from engineering to certifi cation to possible production According to Executive VP Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Orlando Carvalho Following our initial review of Aerions aerodynamic technology our conclusion is that the Aerion AS2 concept warrants the further investment of our time and resources This sentiment was echoed by Aerion Chairman Robert Bass This relationship is absolutely key to creating Aerion Sr VP Chief Technology Offi cer Dr Richard Tracy L and Pro Pilot Editor Publisher Murray Smith at the press conference a supersonic renaissance he says When it comes to supersonic knowhow Lockheed Martins capabilities are well known and in fact legendary We share with Lockheed Martin a commitment to the long term development of effi cient civil supersonic aircraft Since 2003 when Aerion was formed they have developed the core of the AS2 design an advanced wing and supersonic natural laminar fl ow with NASA and other aeronautical institutions In the last 2 1 2 years they also teamed with Airbus on the AS2 s wing airframe and systems layout and fl yby wire fl ight control system concepts Aerion expects the AS2 s 1st fl ight to occur in 2023 with certifi cation in 2025 Fractional fl eet operator Flexjet already announced a 20 aircraft order in Nov 2015 By Pro Pilot staff