NEW DELHI: Over fifteen years after the Concorde — the world’s first and only supersonic aircraft to be used commercially — retired, US aerospace major Boeing has announced it is working on the next-gen aircraft that will be able to go faster than the speed of sound.
Boeing has partnered with an American company, Aerion Supersonic, to build a business jet AS2 that can go upto Mach 1.4 or about 1,600 mph — that is up to 70% faster than today’s business jets. The AS2 will save about three hours on a trans-Atlantic flight and is slated for first flight in 2023.
Boeing announced Tuesday Aerion’s AS2 will be the first supersonic business jet to market, with the aircraft major providing financial, engineering and industrial resources. “As part of the agreement, Boeing made a significant investment in Aerion to accelerate technology development and aircraft design, and unlock supersonic air travel for new markets… Boeing will provide engineering, manufacturing and flight test resources, as well as strategic vertical content, to bring Aerion’s AS2 supersonic business jet to market,” Boeing said in a statement.
“Boeing is leading a mobility transformation that will safely and efficiently connect the world faster than ever before. This is a strategic and disciplined leading-edge investment in further maturing supersonic technology. Through this partnership that combines Aerion’s supersonic expertise with Boeing’s global industrial scale and commercial aviation experience, we have the right team to build the future of sustainable supersonic flight,” said Steve Nordlund, VP and GM of Boeing NeXT. Boeing NeXt is working on a “new mobility ecosystem” that include autonomous air vehicles and passenger-carrying hypersonic aircraft.
“Aerion is the industry leader mapping out a successful, sustainable return to supersonic flight. The AS2 is the launch point for the future of regulatory-compliant and efficient supersonic flight. Together with Boeing, we’re creating a faster, more connected future with tremendous possibilities for enhancing humanity’s productivity and potential,” said Tom Vice, chairman, president and CEO of Aerion.