Aerion continues to build out its supplier base, selecting Rosen Aviation to develop a new cabin management and technology system for the AS2 supersonic business jet. The 10-passenger cabin will bring together “traditional craftsmanship with cutting edge technologies,” said Tim Fagan, Aerion head of industrial design and cabin experience. “We look forward to collaborating with Rosen to create a truly immersive and intuitive cabin environmental that delivers previously unseen levels of passenger-technology interface.”

The selection of Rosen comes as Aerion has opted for well-established, proven suppliers when possible to help reduce risk of its supersonic program. Eugene, Oregon-based Rosen brings a 40-year background in cabin electronics to its latest contract.

Lee Clark, senior v-p of strategy at Rosen Aviation, said the two companies share a vision for the future. “From the very beginning, it was clear that our two organizations shared many core values.”

The naming of Rosen Aviation as a supplier is another signal of the progress being made on the supersonic program. Aerion expects to launch production on the aircraft in 2023 from a newly constructed plant at its 110-acre Aerion Park at Orlando Melbourne International Airport in Florida.

Breaking ground late last year, Aerion anticipates construction on the site to continue into 2022. Aerion finalized an agreement with the design, engineering, and construction firm Haskell to lead the development of the site. Aerion Park will encompass the company’s global headquarters, along with research, design, production, and interior completions work for the AS2 program.

Noting Haskell has been working with Aerion for several years on the project, Paul Raudenbush, senior v-p of planning and development for Haskell’s Infrastructure and Transportation group, said, “We couldn’t possibly be more aligned on the objectives of sustainability and the application of so many new technologies in facilities, manufacturing, and transportation.”

Plans call for the use of clean energy at the site including photovoltaic solar technology to generate energy for manufacturing, installation of on-site electric vehicle charging stations, and reuse of rainwater. Further, the project will involve the incorporation of recycled materials where possible.

Aerion has established a temporary office there as it lays plans to fly the AS2, the first of an intended broader product line, by the middle of the decade, with market entry following later in the decade. The company, which expects to deliver 300 AS2s over 10 years of production, said the backlog for the AS2 now exceeds $7 billion.