Aerion and Spirit AeroSystems have agreed on production of the forward fuselage for the AS2 supersonic business jet. It is expected to begin jet production in 2023. 

The agreement is a further step in the partnership between two companies. The first collaboration began in 2019, when working on preliminary design of the AS2’s forward, pressurized fuselage.

The cooperation appeared to be mutually beneficial, thus, the new agreement has been signed and “at full rate, it is expected that Spirit will build 36 forward fuselage assemblies per year“.

“With our expanded agreement, Spirit will bring both its manufacturing and design capabilities to this revolutionary aircraft program,” said Tom Gentile, President and CEO of Spirit AeroSystems.

The AS2 is the first supersonic jet designed to be powered by 100 percent synthetic fuel and reach supersonic speeds without the need for an afterburner.