The Aerion AS2 business jet will fly at a top speed of nearly 2,000km per hour — which is almost as fast as Concorde, which flew at 2,172km/h. Picture: Aerion Corporation
A NEW business jet dubbed the “Son of Concorde” is a step closer to shuttling passengers from New York to London in a mere three hours and Los Angeles to Tokyo in six.
Aerion, the supersonic-jet maker backed by Texas billionaire Robert Bass, announced plans this week to have the first trans-sonic business aircraft ready for business in six years.
Aerion and partner Airbus Group say they hope to choose a US manufacturing site for the jet during the first half of next year, begin tests flights in 2021 and launch the first commercial flights beginning in 2023.
“We see clear and achievable technical solutions to the design of a supersonic jet, and a realistic road map for helping Aerion proceed toward construction and flight,” Airbus Senior Vice President Ken McKenzie said in a statement.
The company announced plans for the first test flights will take place in 2021. Picture: Aerion Corporation
Last year, Nevada-based aerospace firm Aerion announced that it is teaming up with Airbus to create a supersonic jet that will fly at nearly 2,000km/h (1,217mph). That is faster than the speed of sound and almost as fast as the now retired Concorde, which flew at 2,172km/h (1,350mph). Regular commercial airliners typically fly from between 770 — 900km/h (480 — 560mph).
The Aerion AS2 business jet will be made mostly from carbon fibre composite material and will use proprietary supersonic laminar flow technology that claims to reduce drag on wings and fuselage by 20 per cent. Its nine-metre-long cabin is designed to carry 12 passengers and will have seats that will berth for overnight flights.
Design features include a luxurious nine-metre-long cabin. Picture: Aerion Corporation
CEO Doug Nichols said in a statement that they’re firming up suppliers now, including for the cabin will be developed by Inairvation, a venture between Lufthansa Technik AG and F. List GmbH.
“We will proceed with an engine that allows us to meet our performance goals with the minimum changes required,” Nichols said. “Solutions are in sight with today’s engine technology.”
The announcement comes amid a race to build supersonic aircraft — a niche left vacant since the retirement of the Concorde in 2003.
The ‘Son of Concorde’ will be marketed toward business travellers and will also be able to fly from Los Angeles to Tokyo in six hours. Picture: Aerion Corporation
In September, a group of Concorde enthusiasts — which include ex-pilots and engineers — announced plans to restore an original Concord aircraft located at Le Bourget airport in Paris for around $US250 million and have the legendary jet back in the air by 2019.
In October, Airbus filed a patent for a rocket-launched supersonic aircraft called the Concorde-2 that would fly from New York to London in one hour, but that is expected to be used for military purposes.
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