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Aerion Supersonic, the leader in supersonic technology, has selected GKN Aerospace and Aernnova as suppliers to the AS2 supersonic business jet.

GKN Aerospace will design the empennage and the electrical wiring and interconnection systems (EWIS) for the aircraft, whilst Aernnova will design and develop the mid fuselage, a major fuselage component.

GKN's design activities have already started on-site at Aerion in Reno, Nevada and in GKN Aerospace's engineering centers in the Netherlands and Romania.

"We are excited to collaborate with Aerion and to support the preliminary design phase of this all-new supersonic AS2 business jet. As technology leaders in both electrical wiring interconnect system (EWIS) and business jet empennages, we can bring unrivaled knowledge and expertise to the project," said John Pritchard CEO GKN Aerospace ASEA.

"Aligning with industry leading partners is key to making sustainable supersonic travel a reality," said Aerion CEO Tom Vice. "GKN Aerospace brings more than 100 years of aerospace development and extraordinary aerostructures expertise, including thermoplastic composites and electrical wiring systems, to our AS2 supersonic business aircraft."

Mr. Iñaki Lopez Gandasegui, Chairman & CEO of Aernnova, notes, "We are proud to be part of this unique and exciting supersonic business jet project with Aerion where we expect to bring our significant experience and expertise of over 25 years in developing, manufacturing, certifying and supporting aerospace composite structures."

Aernnova, a leading aerostructures company specialized in the design and manufacturing of aerostructures and components such as wings, empennages and fuselage sections, will support the design of the mid-fuselage of the AS2. The 12 passenger business jet, and first-ever privately built supersonic commercial aircraft, is scheduled to begin flight testing in 2024.

"Aerion's mission has always been to revolutionize global mobility and to do that, we need to bring on the best partners," says Tom Vice. "Aernnova has an impressive proven track record in the design and manufacture of complex composite aerostructure components that will be brought to our AS2 supersonic aircraft."

Aerion's AS2 is the first-ever privately built supersonic commercial aircraft. The 12 passenger business jet is scheduled to begin flight testing in 2024.

BlueSky Business Aviation News | 12th December 2019 | Issue #537

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