Aerion, the supersonic business jet concept long promoted by billionaire Robert Bass, has undergone a major redesign. The original cabin was deemed too small, its range too short and engines too loud. The new Aerion AS2 features a Gulfstream G450-size cabin with a galley, forward and aft lavatories, 5,000-nm range and three new production engines—yet to be identified—producing 15,000 lb. thrust each. “You could say it’s our follow-on aircraft,” observes Bass.
Highlights Some important changes have been made to the Top-Performing Airlines methodology this year. The Fuel Cost Management category has been dropped. This category was initiated four years ago following a spike in fuel costs. An overall decline in Jet A prices forecast for 2014 and the rapid transition of fleets to more fuel- efficient aircraft has diminished this category’s relevance.
Scott Gustafson (see photo), who has been general manager of the Space-Based Surveillance Div. of The Aerospace Corp., El Segundo, Calif., has been named general manager of its MilSatCom Div. He will succeed Malina Hills, who will become vice president of Space Program Operations on July 1. Gustafson will be followed by Russ Averill (see photo), who has been general manager of the Systems Engineering Div.
Tom Arseneault, who is chief operating officer of Washington-based BAE Systems’ Support Solutions Sector, will also be acting president after the resignation of Erin Moseley.
