SUPERSONIC BUSINESS jet developer Aerion has selected Melbourne International Airport in Florida as the site for its new factory. Work on the facility will start later this year, with the aim of beginning production in 2023 and flight tests the year after. Aerion recently revealed the final design configuration for its AS2. The revised aircraft now features a 79ft-span (24.08m) delta-shaped wing, 2ft (0.61m) more than the straight unit with gently swept leading edge and reverse taper trailing edges it replaces. The change in the wing shape marks a move away from the supersonic natural laminar flow design, an area of engineering that Aerion has pursued since it began investigating technology for its supersonic business jet. Two of the aircraft's three engines are contained within reshaped and repositioned nacelles mounted under - and projecting forward of - the wing. Earlier concepts for the AS2 had them tucked alongside the body of the aircraft. The length of the fuselage has been reduced from 170ft (51.82m) to 144ft 11 in (44.17m), with a more serpentine look, thanks to its narrow centre section and raised forward section over the cabin. The rear fuselage has been revised, with the T-tail replaced by a lower mounted horizontal tailplane, although the third engine is still buried in the rear of the body with its intake under the tail. Power will be provided by the GE Aviation Affinity medium-bypass twin-shaft, twin-fan turbofan being developed for the AS2.
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