Aerion begins search for US factory location

Aerion AS2 supersonic business jet

Aerion have begun looking for a manufacturing site to build its AS2 supersonic business jet.

High on the list of requirements is a supersonic test site within 200 miles, which the company says will most probably be offshore.

The existing airport location will also need to have a 9,000 foot runway.

“Aerion has begun a formal search for a U.S. manufacturing location,” said Doug Nichols, Aerion CEO. “We’re looking for a state-of-the art campus of more than 100 acres on a major airport with a minimum 9,000-foot runway, and other special geophysical requirements.”

One contender could be Mobile Alabama, where Aerion’s partner, Airbus, have thier US based production facility.

Mobile Regional Airport has one runway over 9,000ft in length, and is located a short distance from the Gulf of Mexico.

The company has also increased its collaboration with Airbus. The European manufacturer will provide major components for the $120 million AS2.

“The collaboration between Aerion and Airbus Group has been extremely beneficial and productive,” said Allan McArtor, chairman and CEO of Airbus Group, Inc. “The further we proceed along the development path with Aerion,
the greater our enthusiasm for this program and the deeper our commitment. Under our new agreement, our two companies are working as one to bring Aerion’s supersonic AS2 to the business jet market,” he added.

Aerion say that they will announce their manufacturing site selection in the first half of 2016, along with the formal launch of the aircraft program.

First flight for the AS2 is scheduled for 2021, with certification and entry into service to follow in 2023.