GE Aviation signed an agreement with Aerion to launch a formal study to define the final engine configuration for the AS2 supersonic business jet, the company announced Sunday at the EBACE show. GE is moving forward with the study after conducting initial evaluations of different configurations and cores for a number of years, according to Brad Mottier, GE vice president and general manager for business and general aviation and integrated services. Mottier could not specify when a design might be finalized, but said he expects that it “won’t be too long” and added, “stay tuned.” GE Aviation is entering the joint study with the expectation that the effort could lead to production, he said, adding that "we have the technology to do this." Aerion has targeted a Mach 1.5 supersonic jet that would fly in 2021 and enter service in 2023.