At the Farnborough International Airshow in the U.K., Boom unveiled Overture’s flight deck, built around technology from partner Honeywell, and predicted it will have a full-scale engine core operational by 2025. The company also announced Tuesday it secured a Symphony assembly and testing facility through an expansion of its existing partnership with StandardAero.

Boom aims to fly Overture in 2026 ahead of a planned 2029 commercial rollout with airlines worldwide. A supersonic demonstrator aircraft, the XB-1, completed its maiden voyage in March.

Overture’s state-of-the-art flight deck runs on Honeywell’s Anthem avionics suite, which is also the system of choice for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft manufacturers Lilium and Vertical Aerospace.

According to Boom, it will be the first airliner to feature force-feedback sidesticks, which give pilots a physical response to the aircraft’s movement as well as inputs made by the copilot or autopilot.

Like something out of a science fiction film, Overture pilots will don augmented reality goggles during takeoff and landing. The headset, built by Universal Avionics, uses multiple cameras and sensors to fill any gaps in the pilot’s vision. Boom says this is intended to eliminate the droop nose configuration seen on aircraft such as Concorde—the only successful supersonic airliner in history. The views seen through the goggles will also appear on the flight display, and an autolanding system will assist pilots on the way down.

Breakers and buttons are replaced by high-definition, 17-inch touchscreen displays, while some physical controls such as stick, throttle, and landing gear remain. However, Boom says all aircraft functions can be accessed through software, which will receive routine over-the-air upgrades.

Already, the new flight deck has been tested by real-world airline, business, and military pilots, including Mike Bannister, the former chief Concorde pilot for British Airways. In a recent evaluation, commercial airline pilots cruised over the Atlantic Ocean at supersonic speed before flying into London Heathrow Airport (EGLL).

“After experiencing Overture’s flight deck, which is incredibly well designed and delightful to fly, my excitement and enthusiasm for this aircraft has only intensified,” said Bannister, who now works as an aviation consultant.

Separately, Boom gave several updates on the progress of its Symphony engine program, most notably that it expects to have a full-scale engine core operational within 18 months despite unveiling the program less than two years ago.

The company will collect data on the core via testing, which will inform the development of other components such as the compressor and turbine section. Those parts will come from newly announced partner ATI Inc.

Fuel nozzles and other 3D-printed parts have already been produced, and Boom has begun testing certain hardware components. It plans to conduct more than 30 engine hardware rig tests with partner Florida Turbine Technologies (FTT), which helped design the technology.

“We are on schedule as we pursue critical component rigs for compressors, combustors, and bearings and are developing a ‘Sprint Core’ engine demonstrator that will provide valuable confirmation of engine component performance prior to finalizing the engine design,” said Stacey Rock, president of turbine technologies for FTT owner Kratos.

Symphony engines will be built and tested at a StandardAero facility in San Antonio, which Boom projects will one day include 100,000 feet of manufacturing space. The company plans for its partner to produce as many as 330 engines per year.

“We are excited to expand our role to include the assembly and testing of Symphony engines, further supporting the development of next-generation flight with Boom,” said Russell Ford, CEO and chairman of StandardAero.

Next up for Boom will be the second test flight of the XB-1, a smaller, less powerful version of Overture.

The company’s flagship model is intended to carry 64-80 passengers at Mach 1.7—just over 1,300 mph, twice the speed of subsonic airliners—while cruising at 60,000 feet.

Blake Scholl, founder and CEO of Boom, previously told The New York Times that the company’s goal is to fly passengers anywhere in the world within four hours for just $100. Concorde, for comparison, flew at Mach 2.0 and cost passengers thousands of dollars per trip. 

Unlike Concorde, though, Overture can run on 100 percent sustainable aviation fuel. The aircraft will only fly at supersonic speeds over water, since the FAA has banned those flights over land.

So far, Boom has racked up more than 130 orders and preorders for Overture, including from United, American, and Japan Airlines.

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Boom Supersonic’s XB-1 jet demonstrator did not reach supersonic speeds during the test flight. But the inaugural flight of the aircraft—a precursor to Boom’s supersonic, sustainable aviation fuel-powered Overture—marks a key milestone nonetheless.

“When I last flew Concorde in 2003, I knew that this day would come,” said Captain Mike Bannister, former chief Concorde pilot for British Airways. “The first flight of the XB-1 supersonic demonstrator is a significant achievement toward making sustainable supersonic flight a reality.”

The XB-1, which Boom says is the world’s first independently developed civil supersonic jet, combines carbon fiber composites, advanced avionics, digitally optimized aerodynamics, and an advanced supersonic propulsion system. These technologies will also be present on Overture, which is being developed to carry 64-80 at twice the speed of subsonic airliners.

The demonstrator is 62.6 feet long with a 21-foot wingspan. Its three GE J85-15 engines produce a combined max thrust of 12,300 pounds of force. Boom chief test pilot Bill “Doc” Shoemaker took it off the runway at Mojave Air & Space Port, flying in the same airspace that has hosted many historic first flights.

“I’ve been looking forward to this flight since founding Boom in 2014, and it marks the most significant milestone yet on our path to bring supersonic travel to passengers worldwide,” said Blake Scholl, founder and CEO of Boom Supersonic.

A T-38 chase aircraft monitored the XB-1 in the air, verifying factors such as altitude, airspeed, and airworthiness during flight. The company performed an initial assessment of the XB-1’s handling qualities, including airspeed checks with the chase aircraft, and assessed its stability in the landing attitude at a high angle of attack.

According to Boom, the aircraft met all of its test objectives. These included achieving an altitude of 7,120 feet and speeds up to 238 knots (273 mph).

The test flight is meant to validate the XB-1’s key technologies, such as an augmented reality vision system comprising two nose-mounted cameras that feed a high-resolution pilot display.

Another crucial component tested was the engine, which converts kinetic energy to pressure energy with supersonic intakes that slow supersonic air to subsonic speeds. Boom says this will allow conventional jet engines to power Overture from takeoff through supersonic flight.

The next step for the engineering team will be expanding the flight envelope for the XB-1. That will allow it to validate its performance and handling qualities through and beyond Mach 1, speeds Overture is expected to reach.

Boom intends for Overture to fly at Mach 1.7, or just over 1,300 mph. For comparison, Concorde flew at Mach 2. But unlike Concorde, Overture is designed to run on 100 percent SAF.

Leonardo is the engineering lead for the Overture’s fuselage structural components integration and will manufacture the aircraft’s composite structure. Other parts that will come from suppliers include wings designed by Aernnova, nacelles manufactured by Collins Aerospace, and Honeywell’s Anthem flight deck.

Scholl previously told The New York Times that the company’s goal is to fly passengers anywhere in the world within four hours—for only $100. That’s inexpensive compared to most one-way commercial flights, let alone Concorde, which cost passengers thousands of dollars.

However, don’t worry about supersonic booms over your backyard. Overture will only fly supersonic on overwater routes, since the FAA has banned it over the continental U.S.

Boom’s order backlog for Overture includes 130 orders and preorders, including 15 aircraft for American Airlines and 20 apiece for United Airlines and Japan Airlines.

The manufacturer’s $60 million U.S. Air Force contract should help speed development of the aircraft, giving it a potential customer as well. Boom is also partnered with Northrop Grumman to design a special mission variant of Overture for potential U.S. military operations, disaster response, and high-speed surveillance.

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“Our goal is to bring the world closer together through faster flights,” said Blake Scholl, founder and CEO of Boom Supersonic. “We’re excited to collaborate with partners and investors around the globe as we work to realize our shared vision.”

• READ MORE: American Airlines Inks Deal for 20 Boom Supersonic Overture Aircraft

Boom’s investors include the Neom Investment Fund, an investment arm of Neom, a sustainable urban development planned in northwest Saudi Arabia. As part of their agreement, Boom and the Neom Investment Fund will explore ways to make the Gulf region more accessible through supersonic flight.

Boom also said it remains on track to conduct the first flight of the XB-1 later this year at the Mojave Air & Space Port. The aircraft received an airworthiness certificate from the FAA and recently completed a number of tests, including taxi testing up to 90 knots. Boom said the aircraft will soon make high-speed taxi runs in preparation for its first flight.  

• READ MORE: Boom Supersonic Picks Greensboro, North Carolina, for its ‘Superfactory’

The company said its Symphony propulsion system, designed for sustainable and economical supersonic flight, has undergone a conceptual design review that “paves the way toward Symphony’s first hardware rig tests planned for 2024.” Construction of the factory designed to build the Overture is also proceeding ahead of schedule, Boom said, with completion expected during the second quarter of 2024.

The post Boom Supersonic Announces Milestones Including Taxi-Testing Its XB-1 Demonstrator Aircraft appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

The announcement was made on Tuesday at the Paris Air Show, along with several updates on the airframe and engine development as well as manufacturing and testing plans. The final product—the Overture—is projected to fly at Mach 1.75 in overwater cruise powered by bespoke Symphony engines running on 100 percent sustainable aviation fuel.

Mainline Suppliers

Leonardo, based in Rome, will provide its expertise in composite structure development and manufacturing as engineering lead for the Overture’s fuselage structural components integration, and serve as a design and build partner for fuselage sections—including the wingbox. The cross section of the Overture has a larger diameter at its fore section growing smaller towards the rear of the airplane. The design is intended to “minimize wave-drag and maximize fuel efficiency at supersonic speeds,” according to a statement from the company.

Aernnova, in Madrid, a large tier-one aerospace supplier, has been chosen to design and develop the Overture’s gull-shaped wings, which are structurally thinner than typical subsonic wings. Their nature is intended to reduce drag and increase efficiency at high speeds.

Aciturri, based in Miranda de Ebro, Spain, and another major tier 1 supplier, has been selected to provide the empennage to the Overture. A horizontal stabilizer that allows for greater control at subsonic speeds, including takeoff landing, is a key element to the tail design.

Symphony Engine Milestones

Florida Turbine Technologies (FTT) of Doral is the main partner on Boom’s proprietary engine, named the Symphony, and it continues to move forward in the two-spool, medium-bypass turbofan’s development. Scholl gave details on the powerplant’s specs along with teasing photos of the cross section that include the aforementioned optimization to run on 100 percent SAF. “Symphony features a high-specific-flow fan,” said Scholl, “which allows us to reduce the frontal area of the engine, which reduces supersonic drag.” Other details include:

• 35,000-pound thrust
• single-stage 72-inch fan
• air-cooled, multi-stage turbine
• FAA Part 33 and EASA CS 33 compliant
• adherence to ICAO Chapter 14 noise levels

Use of additive manufacturing will enable lightweight composition, low parts count, and reduced assembly costs. The engine features three low-pressure compressor stages, six high-pressure compressor stages, three low-pressure turbine stages, and a single high-pressure turbine stage. Former Rolls-Royce CTO and Singapore Aerospace programme chair Ric Parker serves as lead on the engine program, which has been under the magnifying glass when it moved away from former engine partner Rolls-Royce and went with a trio of new collaborators: FTT, GE Additive, and Standard Aero. Scholl spoke to this tangentially, stating that the need for a bespoke engine “specifically optimized for sustained supersonic flight and sustainable supersonic portions of that.” The vertical integration strategy is key to achieving this.

• READ MORE: Boom to Lead New Powerplant Design for Supersonic Jet

Manufacturing of the engines at scale will take place at FTT’s facility in Jupiter, Florida, Scholl revealed at the press conference. He also updated on progress of the company’s “iron bird” testing facility at its headquarters on the Centennial Airport (KAPA) on the south side of the Denver metro area in Colorado. 

“This is the integrated test facility, where we will be able to put all of the systems hardware through exhaustive testing, with software and hardware in the loop, with thousands of simulated first flights before Overture makes its maiden voyage,” said Scholl. Flight controls, electrical power, and landing gear will all be operable in the iron bird facility.

Fuel System as CG Control

One of the unique aspects of the Overture includes systems architecture updated upon during the press conference by Scholl. While avionics, flight controls, hydraulics, and gear systems were touched upon—and will meet FAA and EASA Part 25 regs—he offered a bit of insight on the fuel system, which will be used to provide center of gravity (CG) control during both sub- and supersonic operations.

The all-composite makeup of Overture enables the use of complex aerostructures to create the contoured fuselage and gull-wing planform. Overall, the use of already certified technologies have been chosen thus far to reduce the risk on the program, as it breaks ground in significant ways in commercial passenger service.

The program remains on track in its 10-year development cycle—where it stands 3.5 years in—for a planned type certification in 2029.

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Boom said it is leading the collaborative effort in developing the new supersonic engine—dubbed Symphony— alongside Florida Turbine Technologies (FTT) for engine design, GE Additive for additive technology design consulting, and StandardAero for maintenance for Symphony.

The announcement comes three months after engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce exited its contract with the commercial airline manufacturer, prompting Boom to look to other engine manufacturers with supersonic propulsion programs. At the time, Rolls-Royce said commercial supersonic flight was no longer a short-term priority for the company.

• READ MORE: Rolls-Royce Will No Longer Power Boom’s Supersonic Airliner

Company officials, however, then decided the solution was to design the aircraft and engine together.

“Developing a supersonic engine specifically for Overture offers by far the best value proposition for our customers,” said Blake Scholl, founder and CEO of Boom Supersonic,

The announcement comes at a pivotal point of development for Boom following Rolls-Royce’s exit. The first Overture aircraft—expected to fly as fast as Mach 1.7, as high as 60,000 feet msl, and carry between 65 to 88 passengers—was scheduled to roll out in 2025 and begin commercial service with passengers by 2029.

Now, with Symphony, Boom said that design is already underway and that Overture is expected to achieve type certification in 2029. The company will build Overture at the Overture Superfactory in Greensboro, North Carolina, with ground testing to begin in 2026 and flight test in 2027.

• READ MORE: How North Carolina Got Boom’s Overture ‘Superfactory’

“Through the Symphony program, we can provide our customers with an economically and environmentally sustainable supersonic airplane—a combination unattainable with the current constraints of derivative engines and industry norms,” Scholl said.

A Boom-Led Partnership

FTT, a Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc business unit, will lead the engine design portion. Boom indicated that it would leverage FTT’s “supersonic engine design expertise,” notably because FTT’s workforce, including engineers involved in the “designing the F-119 and F-135 supersonic engines that power the F-22 and F-35,” Boom said.

“The team at FTT has a decades-long history of developing innovative, high-performance propulsion solutions,” FTT President Stacey Rock said. “We are proud to team with Boom and its Symphony partners and look forward to developing the first bespoke engine for sustainable, economical supersonic flight.”

• READ MORE: American Airlines Inks Deal for 20 Boom Supersonic Overture Aircraft

Boom has also tapped GE Additive for additive manufacturing design consulting. Boom said the partnership would enable more streamlined development, reduced weight, and improved fuel efficiency.

“GE Additive will bring industry-leading capabilities to Symphony, providing additive manufacturing design consulting and technology while looking for additional areas to potentially collaborate,” Chris Schuppe, general manager of engineering and technology at GE Additive, said in a statement.

Looking ahead to maintenance, Boom selected StandardAero in order to deliver “reliable and economical operations and provision of maintenance services for the life of the aircraft,” it said.

StandardAero also has experience as a supersonic engine assembler.

“Our current qualifications, capabilities, and experience assembling and servicing supersonic military jet engines make us the intelligent solution for future commercial supersonic engine MRO applications,” said Russell Ford, chairman, and CEO of StandardAero.

• READ MORE: Curious About Boom Supersonic? Here Are Five Things to Know

Here’s What to Know About Symphony

According to Boom, the powerplant will be a medium-bypass turbofan engine, similar to powerplants on current commercial aircraft. However, unlike subsonic turbofans, Boom said its Symphony would feature a Boom-designed axisymmetric supersonic intake, a variable-geometry, low-noise exhaust nozzle, and a passively cooled high-pressure turbine. It won’t have an afterburner. 

Boom said the powerplant would produce 35,000 lbs of thrust on takeoff and would run on 100 percent sustainable aviation fuel. To keep things quiet and meet Chapter 14 noise level requirements, Symphony will be designed with a single-stage fan. The process will include additive manufacturing to keep its weight and parts count low and reduce assembly costs. Finally, it will need to meet FAA and EASA Part 33 engine certification requirements.

Boom said it expects Symphony to reduce airplane operating costs for airline customers by 10 percent compared to other derivative powerplants.

The post Boom to Lead New Powerplant Design for Supersonic Jet appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

The deal for the jet—which is currently in development—was cinched by the airline paying a non-refundable undisclosed deposit on an initial 20 aircraft. The agreement also comes with an option for the purchase of an additional 40 Overtures, each with an estimated $200 million price tag.

• READ MORE: Curious About Boom Supersonic? Here Are Five Things to Know

The move is the latest in commercial airlines putting money into the supersonic civilian aircraft endeavor. Last year, United Airlines (NASDAQ: UAL) signed a provisional agreement to buy 15 Overtures. Japan Airlines has also invested at least $10 million towards Overture’s development.

“Looking to the future, supersonic travel will be an important part of our ability to deliver for our customers,” Derek Kerr, American’s chief financial officer, said in a statement. “We are excited about how Boom will shape the future of travel both for our company and our customers.”

Overture is designed to seat 65 to 80 passengers and fly at speeds up to Mach 1.7 over water with a range of 4,250 nm.

• READ MORE: Northrop Grumman and Boom Partner on Special Mission Supersonic Jet

“We believe Overture can help American deepen its competitive advantage on network, loyalty, and overall airline preference through the paradigm-changing benefits of cutting travel times in half,” said Blake Scholl, founder and CEO of Boom.

Last month, Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC) announced it was teaming up with Boom for a military variant of the Overture.

The military variant, Boom said, would be a supersonic aircraft tailored for quick-reaction capabilities. It would also carry up to 80 passengers for missions that require rapid response, such as delivering medical supplies, or providing emergency medical evacuations. 

The first flight of a sub-scale test article is expected to take place later this year. The first Overture aircraft is expected to roll out in 2025, and begin commercial service with passengers by 2029, Boom said.

FLYING’s Thom Patterson contributed to this report.

The post American Airlines Inks Deal for 20 Boom Supersonic Overture Aircraft appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

The Overture Superfactory will comprise approximately 400,000 square feet and be constructed on a 65-acre campus at the Piedmont Triad airport. Boom proposes that the facility will bring more than 1,750 jobs to North Carolina by 2030 and more than 2,400 jobs in 2032. 

The move answered some questions for those who might have been curious about where the Colorado-based startup would designate a suitable place to build its Overture aircraft. But the step left one question unanswered.

Why North Carolina?

All indications point to Boom being able to join a growing aerospace cluster of approximately 200 companies with ties to Greensboro and Piedmont Triad, including Honda Aircraft Company, Textron Aviation (NYSE: TXT), HAECO, FedEx Express (NYSE: FDX), and others. It will be strategically beneficial for Boom to leverage the talent and capabilities.  

In a statement announcing the move, Blake Scholl, founder and CEO of Boom said, “With some of the country’s best and brightest aviation talent, key suppliers, and the state of North Carolina’s continued support, Boom is confident that Greensboro will emerge as the world’s supersonic manufacturing hub.”

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper called it “poetic and logical that Boom Supersonic would choose the state that’s first in flight,” harkening to the day of the Wright Brothers’ achievement at North Carolina’s Kill Devil Hills. 

The Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina

For one, in conjunction with the Economic Development Partnership (EDP) of North Carolina, the North Carolina Department of Commerce coordinated Boom’s recruitment. For those curious about who is a crucial driver of what, whom, and how much innovation might occur in their state, part of the answer relates to that behind-the-scenes EDP group.

Every state has an economic development partnership that rigorously incentivizes companies to set up shop in their area. A cursory look at how other states attract other aviation companies will find that familiar player in the mix. So what is an EDP, and how did they get Boom to come to Piedmont Triad?

An EDP’s goal is to promote development within a defined area and typically complement the work of a local or regional chamber of commerce. A chamber of commerce’s primary focus is to be a spokesperson for the local businesses in its area, while the economic development corporation tries to attract new companies to the site. 

• READ MORE: Five Things to Know about Boom Supersonic

To do this, a state-level economic development corporation taps into a cadre of incentives: low-interest loans, grants, tax credits, and other economic upsides that might be beneficial for that business.

In North Carolina’s case, its Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina’s (EDPNC), led by CEO Christopher Chung, went to work to win Boom’s business. 

Shortly after the announcement, Chung spoke exclusively with FLYING to explain how his entity successfully met Boom’s need for its superfactory and offered insights about states that could partner with aerospace and aviation companies to keep manufacturing jobs in the U.S.

With a staff of more than 60 professionals and an annual operating budget of more than $24 million, the EDPNC focuses on advancing the economic interests of North Carolina’s 100 counties and more than 10 million residents. Chung has been a prolific operator. He says for 2022, the EDPNC is working on 200 other deals complementary to Boom’s operation. 

Incentives for Boom

Chung told FLYING that some of the reasons they could attract Boom to the area were:

• The costs of doing business
• The strong aerospace industry
• Available talent in the area 

The Research Triangle and Park area of North Carolina has gained the confidence of companies like Apple, Toyota, and Google, which announced plans to expand their corporate footprint to that area. Boom perhaps wants to tap into the dense talent pool that will come with that.

“I know that it is very important for Boom to pull this off and to have a market-ready aircraft that sells well. They’re going to depend on human capital—both engineering and manufacturing,” Chung explained.

“I think that’s always been one of our strongest, strongest cards here in North Carolina—the depth of our talent pool, the diversity of our talent pool, and the fact that it keeps growing because people keep moving here.” 

According to the statement from the governor’s office, the project is supported by a high-yield job development investment grant (JDIG) that the state’s Economic Investment Committee approved. It was the first of its kind for North Carolina. The state estimates that Boom’s presence will grow the state’s economy by at least $32.3 billion over 20 years—the period when the grant could be active.

“The more attractive North Carolina is as a place to do business, that ultimately benefits any of the companies that are already here,” Chung said.

In exchange, Boom taps into more immediate incentives that allow them to scale its business faster. Chung explained that some of the incentives help with “real estate and facilities construction,” which allows Boom to put its direct funding to its aircraft.

Boom Must Create and Retain Jobs

The jobs incentive is also an important one. Using a formula that accounts for Boom’s $500 million investment and new tax revenues generated by the nearly 1,800 jobs, the JDIG agreement would reimburse Boom up to $87.2 million paid over 20 years.

“For every one of those 1,800 jobs they create, they’re essentially receiving a grant amount to spend those dollars however they want,” Chung explained, adding that “of course, it is tied to them creating those jobs. If they do that, they’re going to get this nice size annual grant every year from the state.”

Furthermore, the state would only have to pay once the Department of Commerce conducts a performance verification audit to see if Boom met the job creation goal and investment target.

On Boom’s end, the agreement requires that it contribute as much as $9.6 million into the state’s Industrial Development Fund-Utility Account. The utility account helps rural communities anywhere in the state finance necessary infrastructure upgrades to attract future business. 

Salaries for the new jobs will vary by position but will average $68,792—better than the Guilford County average annual wage of $53,994. The state says this would increase the regional payroll by more than $120 million every year.

It won’t be so easy for Boom. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists jobs in the aerostructure field as one of the fastest declining fields over the next decade, shrinking by nearly 16 percent and replacing highly automated factories. FLYING asked Chung how the EDPNC was accounting for this or if provisions were allowed if Boom fell short of its job target.

“We know companies will have to evolve to stay competitive,” Chung shared. “But if we’re going to offer incentives to a company, that’s an agreement between the state, the community, and the company. The state has to hold its end of the bargain–so does the company. That means Boom is agreeing that in exchange for receiving these incentives from the state, they are going to be creating a certain number of jobs.”

Chung explained that Boom will need to be flexible, balancing automation to speed things up while adding enough jobs every year to meet the target.

The post How North Carolina Got Boom’s Overture ‘Superfactory’ appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

The company says it will be where Boom manufactures “the world’s fastest and most sustainable supersonic airliner.”

Builders are set to break ground in 2022 and begin production in 2024.

• READ MORE: Five Things to Know about Boom Supersonic

The company says the site, named “The Overture Superfactory,” will be a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, final assembly line, test facility, and customer delivery center for the Overture supersonic airliner. 

The plant will bring approximately 2,400 new local jobs to the area by 2032.

“Selecting the site for Overture manufacturing is a significant step forward in bringing sustainable supersonic air travel to passengers and airlines, with some of the country’s best and brightest aviation talent, key suppliers, and the state of North Carolina’s continued support,” said Blake Scholl, founder and CEO of Boom Supersonic, in a statement. 

“Boom is confident that Greensboro will emerge as the world’s supersonic manufacturing hub.”

Why North Carolina?

The choice of Greensboro was partly due to the availability of a strong aerospace workforce, including military veterans. Boom also looked at surrounding areas and found North Carolina offers access to many technical schools which could funnel highly skilled workers to the factory. 

The Piedmont Triad area is also close to many tier-one aerospace suppliers. This will make access to valued aviation resources seamless. Lastly, the close proximity to the East Coast will allow for supersonic flight testing over the Atlantic. 

“It is both poetic and logical that Boom Supersonic would choose the state that’s first in flight for its first manufacturing plant,” North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said in a statement. “Like the success of the Wright Brothers at Kitty Hawk, this innovative company will succeed by transforming passenger air travel with speed and sustainable energy.”

While the new manufacturing center will be built in Greensboro, the headquarters for Boom Supersonic will remain in Denver, Colorado.

The Overture ‘Superfactory’

In 2022, contractors are expected to begin construction of the “Superfactory,” which will cover approximately 400,000 square feet on a 65-acre campus.

To ensure dedicated top talent, Boom Supersonic plans to create 200 internships through 2032. The internships will be offered to students who attend publicly funded North Carolina universities, community colleges, or technical schools.

The factory is expected to be completed in 2024. The first Overture aircraft is expected to roll out in 2025 with first flights set for 2026. If all goes as planned, Overture could be accepting commercial passengers by 2029.

About the Aircraft

The Overture Supersonic Airliner is designed to carry 65 to 88 passengers on 100 percent sustainable aviation fuel. The company says it will fly from New York City to London in three and a half hours. 

Last year, United Airlines (UAL:NASDAQ) became the first U.S. carrier to sign a commercial agreement with Boom, announcing plans to buy 15 of the supersonic airliners, contingent on Boom hitting certain milestones. 

Japan Airlines has also pitched in $10 million for the development of the airliner and with an option to purchase 20.

The post Boom Supersonic Picks Greensboro, North Carolina, for its ‘Superfactory’ appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

The Strategic Funding Increase (STRATFI) contract was awarded by the Air Force’s innovation arm, AFWERX, and will accelerate critical design and development work on Overture, Boom’s supersonic commercial airliner concept set to enter production in 2023, the company said Tuesday.

The Denver, Colorado-based startup, which launched in 2014, aims to build the fastest supersonic airliner. 

Boom is currently developing its XB-1 supersonic demonstrator, which was formally revealed in October 2020, and Overture, a 65-88 passenger, Mach 1.7 supersonic airliner. Both the XB-1 and Overture share key technologies, such as advanced carbon fiber composites and a refined delta wing.

Overture is slated to roll out in 2025. It’s expected to carry passengers by 2029, according to the company. The aircraft is designed to run on 100 percent sustainable aviation fuels and will cost about $200 million per copy.

“[A] derivative of Overture could offer the Air Force a future strategic capability in rapid global transport and logistics,” the company said. “Potential users and applications include executive transport; intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance; special operations forces; and the Pacific Air Forces (PACAF).”

• READ MORE: Five Things To Know About Boom Supersonic

The partnership between the Air Force and the supersonic aircraft manufacturer is “mutually beneficial,” Boom founder and CEO Blake Scholl said in a statement. 

“With STRATFI, we’re able to collaborate with the Air Force on the unique requirements and needs for global military missions, ultimately allowing Boom to better satisfy the needs of the Air Force where it uses commercially-derived aircraft,” Scholl said. “As a potential future platform for the Air Force, Overture would offer the valuable advantage of time, an unmatched option domestically and internationally.”

The contract is the second awarded by the service to Boom in little more than a year. In September 2020, the Air Force awarded a contract to Boom to explore use of the Overture aircraft for DOD executive transport of top military and government leadership.

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“The United States Air Force is constantly looking for technological opportunities to disrupt the balance of our adversaries,” Brig. Gen. Ryan Britton, program executive officer for Presidential and Executive Airlift Directorate, said at the time. “Boom is an example of the American ingenuity that drives the economy forward through technological advances. We are extremely excited to team with them as we work to shrink the world and transform the future of executive airlift.”

The post Air Force Awards Boom Supersonic $60 Million Contract For Aircraft Development appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Boom is a Denver-Colorado-based startup founded in 2014 that seeks to build what it calls the world’s fastest supersonic airliner as more companies seek to revive supersonic commercial flight nearly 20 years after the grounding of the Concorde, history’s only successful supersonic airliner.

What is Boom building?

Boom is currently developing its XB-1 supersonic demonstrator and Overture, a 65-88 passenger, Mach 1.7 supersonic airliner. (Concorde boasted a cruise speed above Mach 2.)

The XB-1 shares key technologies with Overture, such as advanced carbon fiber composites and a refined delta wing. Boom will use lessons learned from XB-1 flight testing to help optimize Overture and to prove that in-flight key technologies are safe for efficient travel at supersonic speeds.

The XB-1 was formally revealed to the public in October 2020.

When will you be able to fly in the Overture?

Overture, with an estimated $200 million price tag (plus options and interior)—and a cruising altitude of 60,000 feet—is slated to roll out in 2025, fly in 2026, and carry passengers by 2029, according to Boom.

While the company says final ticket prices will be set by airlines, Overture is being designed “to allow airlines to offer fares comparable to today’s business class. Our long-term vision is that the fastest flight is also the most affordable,” according to its website. 

Boom’s founder, Blake Scholl, told The New York Times that the goal is to deliver passengers anywhere in the world within four hours for $100. In comparison, tickets from New York to London aboard Concorde cost thousands of dollars.

Can Boom fly supersonic in the U.S.?

Like the iconic Concorde, the supersonic Overture will only exceed the speed of sound during overwater routes such as New York to London and San Francisco to Tokyo. Decades ago, the FAA banned supersonic flight over the continental U.S. because of the effects that sonic booms can generate.

In January, the FAA announced final rules for supersonic test flights in the U.S. meant to streamline the approval process, which is a key step in ultimately getting a product to market. 

While the FAA still prohibits unlimited supersonic flight over U.S. soil, it does provide exemptions for testing, which is good news for Boom. 

Who are Boom’s supporters?

In June, United Airlines became the first U.S. airline to sign a commercial agreement with Boom, announcing it plans to buy 15 of the supersonic airliners, contingent on Boom hitting certain milestones. 

Japan Airlines has also pitched in $10 million for the development of the airliner and with an option to purchase 20.

Boom is also working with the United States Air Force for government applications of Overture. 

Its partners include Collins Aerospace, which is collaborating on the nacelle technology development; Rolls-Royce, which is developing a custom propulsion system; and Amazon Web Services for high-powered computer cloud storage and security.

So far, the company has raised $270 million as of May; its investors include American Express, Bessemer Ventures, Prime Movers Lab, Emerson Collective, and Celesta Capital.

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