Aerion Supersonic has awarded BAE Systems a contract to provide the flight control system for Aerion’s AS2 supersonic business jet, BAE Systems reported on Wednesday.
“We are leveraging decades of expertise and advanced technologies to architect a flight control system that will enable the future of flight,” said Ehtisham Siddiqui, vice president and general manager of Controls and Avionics Solutions for BAE Systems. “We are proud to be collaborating with Aerion Supersonic on this next-generation flight control system for the AS2 aircraft.”
BAE Systems will design, develop and integrate a fly-by-wire flight control system, including active inceptors, for the aircraft. BAE Systems will leverage smaller and lighter components to allow for integration on the AS2 aircraft. The flight system will comprise active inceptors, primary flight control computers, actuator control units and remote electronics units.
BAE Systems’ active inceptors will provide AS2 pilots with static and dynamic tactile force feedback, and will include electronic controlled actuators that send tactile feedback to the pilot through the flight stick. The feedback will warn pilots of structural or aerodynamic operating limits, improving situational awareness to maintain a safer, more stable flight.
Aerion's AS2 private jet is the first supersonic aircraft to use only synthetic fuel and reach supersonic speeds without the need for an afterburner. The business jet will enhance point-to-point travel.
“We are delighted to expand our long-standing relationship with BAE Systems and for them to join our growing team of globally-renowned technical partners who will support bringing the AS2 to production,” said Tom Vice, chairman, president and CEO at Aerion.
The flight control system development will be conducted at BAE Systems facilities in Endicott, New York and Rochester, U.K.
About BAE Systems
BAE Systems is a leading systems integrator supporting militaries, governments, and U.S. intelligence community members across the globe. The company’s advanced technologies and services protect people and national security, and keep critical information and infrastructure secure across air, land, sea, space, and cyber domains.
