2017 has been an important year for aeronautics. From the unveiling of the world's largest airplane to the exciting announcement of a regional hybrid-electric airplane, the airline industry has experienced major advancements at a mach-like speed. As such, it should come as no surprise that 2017 is coming to a close with another big announcement in aeronautics: Lockheed Martin has recently partnered with Aerion in a joint effort to build the world's first supersonic private jet.
Dubbed the AS2, the supersonic private jet would comfortably fit 12 passengers while achieving a cruising speed of Mach 1.4 by way of its three engines. Reaching Mach 1.4 would break the sound barrier, something that's not legal when flying over land in the United States, which means the AS2 wouldn't be able to hit this speed until it's over the ocean. With that said, flying at Mach 1.4, the AS2 would have an operational range of 4,200 nautical miles—roughly the equivalent of flying from New York to Milan. The AS2 could extend its range to 5,400 nautical miles if it flew at subsonic speeds (supersonic speeds are achieved when an aircraft exceeds the speed of sound, or Mach 1). Yet, flying at Mach 1.4, the AS2 would be able to fly about as fast as Lockheed Martin's F-22 jet, which can go up to an estimated 1,200 miles per hour. Keep in mind that a traditional commercial airliner flies around 575 miles per hour, while the Gulfstream G650 private jet can max out around 610 miles per hour.
Founded in 2003 and based out of Nevada, Aerion has been focused on designing a supersonic business jet for more than a decade. Yet the small firm hasn't actually built an airplane. That's what makes the partnership with Lockheed Martin so exciting. "This relationship is absolutely key to creating a supersonic renaissance," said Aerion chair Robert M. Bass in a statement. "When it comes to supersonic know-how, Lockheed Martin’s capabilities are well-known and, in fact, legendary. We share with Lockheed Martin a commitment to the long-term development of efficient civil supersonic aircraft."
It's also a great opportunity for Lockheed Martin. While it's a massive international company, the Maryland-based firm has seemingly been looking for ways to get back into commercial aviation, an industry it hasn't been a part of since the 1980s. While the AS2 has yet to be built, the two firms hope to have the model in the air by 2023, and on the market by 2025.
