Sparkle Roll Group is now the exclusive sales representative for Aerion Corp.’s supersonic business jet (SSBJ) in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. Reno, Nevada-based Aerion and Sparkle Roll, one of China’s largest CCAR Part 135/91 operators, signed the sales representative agreement this week here in Shanghai at ABACE 2015.

Aerion’s Mach 1.5 AS2 business jet–announced last May at EBACE 2014 in Geneva and priced at more than $100 million–is currently undergoing advanced design phase, during which the aircraft’s propulsion systems, structures, avionics and equipment are specified and sourced. The company is targeting first flight of the three-engine SSBJ in the 2019 timeframe, with entry into service expected in 2022.

“Sparkle Roll knows our market, knows the customer base for the AS2 and will play a key role in introducing routine supersonic flight in China and beyond,” said Aerion co-chairman Brian Barents.

“Chinese business leaders will save hours on every long-range flight in the AS2 versus a subsonic jet,” noted Mr. Li Xuefeng, chairman of Sparkle Roll Technik Co. Ltd. and executive director/CEO of Sparkle Roll Aviation (Holding) Group. “There is no question that the benefit of substantially greater speed will be highly valued by aviation users in our markets.”

SSBJ Attributes

The AS2 will have two cruise “sweet spots,” where range and efficiency are at a maximum–one at about Mach 0.95 Mach, for efficient cruise where supersonic flight is prohibited; and one at about Mach 1.4. At both speeds, total operating cost will be comparable to current ultra-long-range business jet offerings, Aerion said. While the minimum projected range is 8,797 km (4,750 nm), Aerion is aiming for 9,816 km (5,300 nm).

Its trijet configuration yields better runway performance and a lower noise profile, which is “especially important with Stage 5 noise requirements looming,” Aerion CEO Doug Nichols told AIN. The company is currently in discussions with “leading engine suppliers” to find the optimum core engine for adaptation to supersonic requirements. The selected engine core will be in the 15,000-pound-thrust range–a list that includes the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW800, GE Passport and Rolls-Royce BR710.

Inside, the aircraft’s cabin will have a cross-section dimension nearly identical to that of the Gulfstream G550, sharing the same 1.88-meter (6-foot 2-inch) height though the AS2’s width is just one inch narrower at 2.21 meters (7 foot 3 inches). The 9.14-meter-long (30 foot) cabin, which is 5.18 meters (17 feet) shorter than the G550’s, will feature a two-lounge layout, galley and both forward and aft lavatories, as well as a baggage compartment that is accessible in-flight. Outside, the AS2’s fuselage is 48.77 meters (160 feet) long, with a wingspan of 21.24 meters (70 feet).

According to Aerion, the AS2’s balanced field length is 2,286 meters (7,500 feet) at its 52,160-kg (115,000-pound) mtow. However, this can be lowered to 1,829 meters (6,000 feet) at takeoff weights below 45,360 kg (100,000 pounds) to allow for operations at airports with shorter runways or weight restrictions while retaining a trans-Atlantic range of 7,408 km (4,000 nm). This would permit the AS2 to operate from major business aviation hubs with 1,524- to 1,829-meter (5,000 to 6,000-foot) runways.

Airbus Collaboration

In September, Airbus Group and Aerion announced a partnership agreement to collaborate on “technologies associated with the future of high-performance flight.” Under the agreement, both companies will exchange knowledge and capabilities in aircraft design, manufacturing and certification.

For Aerion, this means collaboration to further develop and bring to market the AS2. “This agreement accomplishes two major objectives,” said Aerion CEO Doug Nichols. “It provides validation from the industry leader in aerospace innovation, and it decisively kicks the program into high gear. Aerion moves quickly toward building a supersonic jet, and Airbus Group gains exclusive access to our research and technology.”

Under the agreement, Airbus Group’s Defense and Space division will provide technical and certification support, including the assignment of senior engineering staff to Aerion’s development organization. Notably, the collaboration provides expanded engineering capabilities to Aerion.

Over the longer term, “Airbus gains exclusive access to Aerion proprietary research and technology, and to proprietary multi-disciplinary design tools whose accuracy has been validated in flight tests,” Nichols said. These technologies include Aerion’s extensive research in natural laminar flow airfoils, design tools and patented aerodynamic designs.