Aerion Supersonic’s AS2 supersonic business jet is beginning to take shape as the Reno, Nevada –based aircraft designer continues to select major supply and design partners. This includes announcements yesterday that GKN will provide the empennage and electrical wiring and interconnection systems (EWIS) and Aernnova will develop the mid-fuselage.

GKN already has begun design work in collaboration with Aerion both at GKN’s engineering centers in the Netherlands and Romania, as well as at Aerion’s Reno facility.

"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."

Vice further praised Aernnova’s proven track in design in the manufacture of complex aerostructures in its selection for the mid-fuselage section that will be capable of supporting supersonic flight. Like GKN, Aernnova is a Tier 1 supplier for numerous aircraft programs, providing wings, empennages, and fuselage sections, among other key components.

They join GE Aviation, Spirit Aerosystems, and Honeywell on the AS2 program. GE is developing the Affinity 20,000-pounds-thrust, medium bypass ratio engine for the business jet. Spirit, meanwhile, is working on the preliminary design of the forward fuselage, while Honeywell is developing the flight deck.

Formerly just known as Aerion Corp., Aerion Supersonic further has partnered with Boeing on the overall program and expects to begin flight testing the Mach 1.4 AS2 in 2024.