Airbus Group and Aerion announce technology collaboration

WASHINGTON and RENO, Nevada, Sept. 22, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Airbus Group and Aerion Corporation have agreed to collaborate on technologies associated with the future of high-performance flight. To further their mutual objectives, both companies will exchange knowledge and capabilities in design, manufacturing and certification.

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For Aerion, this means collaboration to advance the development and commercialization of the Aerion AS2 supersonic business jet.

Under the agreement, Airbus Group, through its Defence and Space division, will provide technical and certification support, which will include the assignment of senior engineering staff to Aerion's expanding development organization. Aerion and Airbus Defence and Space professionals will work together at Aerion's new and larger engineering offices in Reno, Nevada.

"This is a major step forward for Aerion," said the company's chairman and principal investor, Robert M. Bass. "It puts us solidly on track toward our objective of certifying the world's first supersonic business jet in 2021. Needless to say, we are thrilled with the resources Airbus Group will bring to the program."

Over the longer term, Aerion will provide proprietary technology and assistance to Airbus Group in its high-performance aircraft technology development. These technologies include Aerion's extensive research, its proprietary design tools and patented aerodynamic designs.

"Aerion's pioneering work has broad applications for both performance and efficiency. We are looking forward to a fruitful cooperation," said Jean Botti, Airbus Group Chief Technical Officer.

The joint effort provides expanded engineering capabilities to Aerion as it enters a design phase in which propulsion systems, structures, avionics and equipment are specified and sourced. Under the current timeline, Aerion is targeting first flight of the AS2 in the 2019 timeframe.

"This agreement accomplishes two major objectives," according to Aerion CEO Doug Nichols. "It provides validation from the industry leader in aerospace innovation, and it decisively kicks the program into high gear. Each company will benefit. Aerion moves quickly toward building a supersonic jet, and Airbus Group gains exclusive access to more than a decade of successful research and proprietary high-performance aircraft technology."

Initial collaboration activities have commenced between engineering teams from Aerion and Airbus Defence and Space, which is Airbus Group's principal liaison organization for AS2 development.

About Aerion Corporation

Aerion Corporation of Reno, Nevada, was formed from an advanced engineering group in 2002 to reintroduce commercial supersonic flight. Aerion's research began more than 20 years ago, and has culminated in the design of a practical and efficient supersonic business jet as the result of its patented applications of supersonic natural laminar flow technology. The company's portfolio also includes proprietary design and optimization tools, patented thin wing designs, propulsion integration technology and related expertise. More information can be found at www.aerionsupersonic.com.

About Airbus Group

Airbus Group is a global leader in aeronautics, space and related services. In 2013, the Group -- comprising Airbus, Airbus Defense and Space and Airbus Helicopters -- generated revenues of
€ 57.6 billion (restated) and employed a workforce of around 139,000 (restated).

About Airbus Group, Inc.

Airbus Group, Inc. is the U.S.-based operation of Airbus Group, a global leader in aeronautics, space and related services. Airbus Group contributes more than $14.4 billion to the U.S. economy annually and supports over 245,000 American jobs through its network of suppliers. Airbus Group, Inc., headquartered in Herndon, Va., offers a broad array of advanced solutions to meet U.S. military and commercial requirements, including fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, homeland security systems, public safety communications, defense electronics and avionics, and threat detection systems.

About Airbus Defence and Space

Airbus Defense and Space is a division of Airbus Group formed by combining the business activities of Cassidian, Astrium and Airbus Military. The new division is Europe's number one defense and space enterprise, the second largest space business worldwide and among the top ten global defense enterprises. It employs some 40,000 employees generating revenues of approximately €14 billion per year.