Airbus Group and Aerion announce technology collaboration

Airbus Group and Aerion Corporation have agreed to collaborate on technologies associated with the future of high-performance flight. To further their mutual objectives, both companies will exchange knowledge and capabilities in design, manufacturing and certification. For Aerion, this means collaboration to advance the development and commercialization of the Aerion AS2 supersonic business jet. Under the agreement, Airbus Group, through its Defence and Space division, will provide technical and certification support, which will include the assignment of senior engineering staff to Aerion’s expanding development organization. Aerion and Airbus Defence and Space professionals will work together at Aerion’s new and larger engineering offices in Reno, Nevada. Over the longer term, Aerion will provide proprietary technology and assistance to Airbus Group in its high-performance aircraft technology development. These technologies include Aerion’s extensive research, its proprietary design tools and patented aerodynamic designs. The joint effort provides expanded engineering capabilities to Aerion as it enters a design phase in which propulsion systems, structures, avionics and equipment are specified and sourced. Under the current timeline, Aerion is targeting first flight of the AS2 in the 2019 timeframe. Initial collaboration activities have commenced between engineering teams from Aerion and Airbus Defence and Space, which is Airbus Group’s principal liaison organization for AS2 development.