The Overture Superfactory will produce Boom’s Overture supersonic passenger jet, which is designed to seat between 64 and 80 passengers and fly up to 4,250 nautical miles (7,867 kilometers) at a cruising speed of Mach 1.7. The factory is scheduled to begin production of the Supersonic Transport (SST) aircraft in 2024.  

鈥淐onstruction of the Overture Superfactory represents a major milestone toward ensuring the United States鈥� continued leadership in aerospace manufacturing,鈥� said Blake Scholl, founder and CEO of Boom Supersonic. 鈥淪upersonic flight will transform air travel, and Overture provides a much-needed innovative alternative for airlines across the globe.鈥� 

The factory can produce 33 aircraft annually, valued at over $6 billion, with plans to double this capacity. It will also serve as an airline delivery center. 

According to the company, its order book stands at 130 aircraft, including orders and pre-orders from major airlines such as American Airlines, Japan Airlines and United Airlines. 

On March 22, 2024, Boom Supersonic successfully tested the XB-1 at subsonic speeds. During that test, conducted at the Mojave test ground in California, the aircraft reached an altitude of 7,120 feet and speeds of up to 238 knots (273 miles per hour).  

The following month, the manufacturer received a Special Flight Authorization (SFA) from the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct supersonic flight tests.  

Boom Supersonic executes first flight of XB-1 demonstrator aircraft: video

• Aircraft

byIan Molyneaux

2024-03-24

This is the first time that the FAA has ever issued an authorization of this sort. It will allow Boom Supersonic to advance to the next stage with the flight test campaign of its XB-1 demonstrator, the aircraft being the test bank for the development of a commercial supersonic airliner. 

On March 22, 2024, Boom Supersonic successfully tested the XB-1 at subsonic speeds. During that test, conducted at the Mojave test ground, California, the aircraft reached an altitude of 7,120 feet and speeds of up to 238 knots (273 mph).听

The supersonic phase of Boom精东影业 XB-1 testing campaign will take place in the Black Mountain Supersonic Corridor and parts of the High Altitude Supersonic Corridor. The latter is a portion of the airspace over the Mojave Desert that is regularly used for military and research supersonic testing operations, with several major military facilities located nearby, including Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, the National Training Center at Fort Irwin and Edwards Air Force Base. 

In addition to the XB-1 demonstrator, T-38 chase aircraft will also take part in the tests in order to monitor and film them  

Before going supersonic, though, there are still 10 to 20 test flights planned at subsonic speeds. Only then will the XB-1 cross the sound barrier.  

With each successive test, Boom Supersonic plans to increase the speed slightly, with the first three supersonic flights expected to reach the Mach 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3 mark respectively. This gradual flight by flight approach is necessary, because the test airspace is limited and there would not be enough space to test all these speed milestones in succession within one single flight. 

FAA establishes civilian supersonic test corridor in Kansas

• Aviation Technology and Innovation

byClement Charpentreau

2 minute read

Boom Supersonic hopes that the XB-1 demonstrator will provide the foundation for the design and development of Overture, which could one day carry up to 80 passengers on commercial flights at Mach 1.7.听

The XB-1 demonstrator took to the skies on March 22, 2024, safely achieving an altitude of 7,120 feet and speeds up to 238 knots (273 mph). 

鈥淭oday, XB-1 took flight in the same hallowed airspace where the Bell X-1 first broke the sound barrier in 1947,鈥� Blake Scholl, founder and CEO of Boom Supersonic, said. 鈥淚鈥檝e 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.鈥�   

XB-1 was flown by Boom Chief Test Pilot Bill 鈥淒oc鈥� Shoemaker, and Test Pilot Tristan 鈥淕eppetto鈥� Brandenburg flew the T-38 chase aircraft which monitored the flight.听 聽

Today marks a big milestone toward the rebirth of supersonic passenger flight. For the first time in decades, a civil supersonic airplane has taken to the skies. The XB-1 met all of its first flight objectives鈥攁nd we鈥檙e only going further, higher, and faster from here.

— Blake Scholl 馃洬 (@bscholl)

鈥淓veryone on the XB-1 team should be incredibly proud of this achievement,鈥� Bill Shoemaker, Chief Test Pilot for Boom Supersonic, said. 鈥淚t has been a privilege to share this journey with so many dedicated and talented professionals. The experience we have gained in reaching this milestone will be invaluable to Boom精东影业 revival of supersonic travel.鈥� 

Two decades after Concorde精东影业 retirement, the first flight of XB-1 marks the return of a civil supersonic aircraft to the skies and paves the way for the revival of mainstream supersonic travel. 

American Airlines, United Airlines, and Japan Airlines have all placed pre-orders聽for Overture which will run on up to 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).听

Boom Supersonic closer to kicking off XB-1 test flights聽

• Aircraft
• Aviation Technology and Innovation

byMiquel Ros

2023-08-24

The American startup has secured an experimental airworthiness certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the XB-1 as well as letters of authorization that will enable chief test pilot Bill 鈥淒oc鈥� Shoemaker and test pilot Tristan 鈥淕epetto鈥� Brandenburg to test the aircraft out of Mojave Air & Space Port, California. 

The startup explained that both pilots have been preparing for the inaugural flight by completing hundreds of hours of training in a simulator as well as flying T-38 aircraft. 

The XB-1 is a small-scale demonstrator measuring 71 feet in length. Its aim is to validate technologies that Boom Supersonic wants to use later on the Overture, its projected supersonic airliner, which is expected to be able to fly between 65 and 80 passengers at speeds of up to Mach 1.7. 

The XB-1, which has already been performing ground and taxiing tests at Mojave, will be powered by three General Electric J85 engines.听聽

The J85 is a tried and tested turbojet engine that has been in service for several decades. However, in order to fulfill its mission to develop a supersonic airliner, Boom Supersonic will have to overcome a significant challenge and successfully develop a clean-sheet engine. To do so, it has partnered with Kratos Defense and hired a former senior Boeing engineer.听

The company has announced the appointment of Scott Powell, who has 38 years of experience at Boeing, including four years of being the Engineering Propulsion leader of the Boeing 787 program, as its new Senior Vice President of Symphony.

According to Blake Scholl, the founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Boom Supersonic, the company has made significant progress on the design of the engines that will power its Overture supersonic jet. 鈥淎dding Scott精东影业 leadership and experience overseeing certifications for a wide range of civil and military propulsion systems only further strengthens our path forward with Symphony,鈥� Scholl continued.

Meanwhile, Powell said that Boom Supersonic 鈥渦nderstands the significant upside that can be achieved through an engine specifically customized for Overture鈥�.

Several engine makers, namely Rolls-Royce and CFM International (a joint venture between General Electric (GE) Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines) had said that they would not provide engines for the Overture. As a result, Boom Supersonic partnered with Kratos Defense to design and build the Symphony.

The partnership between Boom Supersonic and Kratos was announced in December 2022, with Scholl saying at the time that designing an engine specifically for the supersonic airliner 鈥渙ffers by far the best value proposition for our customers鈥�.

Boom teams up with Kratos to manufacture supersonic airliner engines

• Aviation Technology and Innovation
• Civil Aviation

byClement Charpentreau

2022-12-13

During the Paris Air Show in June 2023, Boom Supersonic unveiled several more suppliers for the Overture, including Aernnova, Aciturri and Leonardo. The three companies will help the plane-maker to build the wing, empennage and fuselage and system integrations, respectively.

In addition, the company said that its order book stands at 130 aircraft, including orders and pre-orders from major airlines such as American Airlines, Japan Airlines and United Airlines.

According to its website, the Overture supersonic jet is set to be rolled out in 2026, with the first flight due the following year and certification in 2029. Boom Supersonic has described the Overture as a supersonic passenger jet that can seat between 64 and 80 passengers while flying up to 4,250 nautical miles (7,867 kilometers) at a cruising speed of Mach 1.7.

Boom unveils new structure suppliers for Overture supersonic airliner

• Aviation Technology and Innovation
• Paris Air Show

byClement Charpentreau

2023-06-20

According to a by The Telegraph, the conglomerate’s space division, which also owns Virgin Atlantic and a minority stake in Virgin Australia, as well as other aerospace-related ventures, allowed its options for Boom Supersonic精东影业 Overture passenger jet to lapse. The report added that the Richard Branson-owned Virgin Galactic through the Virgin Group never had a firm agreement with Boom over the order.听

When Boom Supersonic announced it received $100 million in a Series B investment round in January 2019, the company said that its future customers 鈥渋nclude Virgin Group and Japan Airlines, which have pre-ordered a combined 30 Overture airliners鈥�. 

However, no press releases after November 2020 mention Virgin Group or Virgin Galactic having pre-ordered any Overture aircraft. Boom Supersonic精东影业 鈥楶artners鈥� page only mentions American Airlines, United Airlines, and Japan Airlines as airline partners, with the company also listing other component and production suppliers on the same page. 聽

During the Paris Air Show in June 2023, the company revealed that Spain-based Aernnova and Aciturri would manufacture the wing and empennage for the Overture, respectively, while Italy精东影业 Leonardo will build the fuselage and system integration for the supersonic aircraft. 

鈥淲e are incredibly proud of the progress with Overture and Symphony from our global team of partners and suppliers who continue to operate at an accelerated pace toward the future of sustainable supersonic flight,鈥� said Bake Scholl, the founder and chief executive officer of Boom Supersonic, at the time. 

Boom unveils new structure suppliers for Overture supersonic airliner

• Aviation Technology and Innovation
• Paris Air Show

byClement Charpentreau

2023-06-20

During the same event, Boom Supersonic detailed that the Overture精东影业 order book stood at 130 aircraft. 

The Overture will be built in Greensboro, North Carolina, the United States (US), on a site at Piedmont Triad International Airport (GSO). According to the company, the factory is 鈥渙n pace for production launch in 2024鈥�.  

“Virgin Galactic精东影业 options from a 2016 agreement ended in 2020 at which point Boom Supersonic and Virgin mutually decided to allow the options to expire. Boom精东影业 commercial order book continues to stand at 130 aircraft, including 35 orders with non-refundable deposit and 95 pre-orders from United Airlines, American Airlines, and Japan Airlines. We continue to maintain a strong relationship with Virgin and look forward to continued discussions with their team about sustainable supersonic travel,” said a Boom Supersonic spokesperson in an email to 精东影业.

Boom teams up with Kratos to manufacture supersonic airliner engines

• Aviation Technology and Innovation
• Civil Aviation

byClement Charpentreau

2022-12-13

UPDATE July 11, 2023, 8:05 AM (UTC +3): The article was updated with a statement from Boom Supersonic.

But maybe it’s time to try again?  

With all the wonders of modern materials, digital engineering, and the bottomless pockets of celebrity billionaires, surely it’s possible to bring supersonic commercial aircraft back to the skies. Perhaps skilled engineers could build a supersonic jet that is almost as cheap and quiet as regular subsonic airplanes. And if the affordable part doesn’t work out, maybe business aviation could step in.

Are supersonic planes coming back?

Are supersonic planes coming back? It certainly seems so. Dozens of projects to build commercial supersonic aircraft have been initiated, and some prominent airlines have already announced plans to .  

However, as of 2023, no new supersonic airliner has taken to the skies. Nonetheless, several firms are currently in the process of testing the technologies that could be used in these planes. 

The primary challenge in bringing back supersonic travel lies in reducing the disruptive effect of the sonic boom. When an aircraft flies faster than the speed of sound, it generates a strong sound wave that can shatter windows and cause injuries.

This is why the Concorde, the only supersonic airliner to see extensive use, was limited to flying over oceans. Many countries have codified these restrictions into law, allowing supersonic flight only for military jets when absolutely necessary. Overcoming this challenge and finding a solution to minimize the sonic boom is crucial for the revival of supersonic commercial air travel. 

Is supersonic flight illegal?

In many countries, including the United States (US), commercial supersonic flight remains banned. However, attempts are underway to change this. In 2020, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) established a special corridor over Kansas for testing civilian supersonic aircraft. If these tests prove successful, and the new aircraft do not produce destructive supersonic booms, the ban may eventually be lifted.听

Thus, a lot hinges on the efforts to develop these ‘quiet’ supersonic jets. With private companies and government agencies such as NASA heavily involved, it seems that just one successful demonstration could be enough to prove the viability of the concept. 

As such, it feels as though barely a day goes by without the announcement of another supersonic business jet project. While some disappear after a couple of press releases, others manage to raise significant funds. Their sheer number makes it challenging to keep track of them all. 

Here at 精东影业, we’ve taken an in-depth look at the existing proposals and consolidated them into an easily digestible list, making it simple to monitor their progress over the coming year. Proposals are ranked by their level of realism and proximity to completion. Regrettably, we’ve had to exclude projects that have either stalled or been discontinued 鈥� for example, the S and Boeing 2707. 

Research aircraft, such as the Lockheed Martin X-59 QueSST, are also omitted as they do not carry passengers.

With one notable exception, hypersonic proposals 鈥� those promising to fly faster than Mach 5, or five times the speed of sound 鈥� have been excluded. While projects by Hermeus, and HyperMach are certainly exciting, they are too complex to be deemed realistic in the short term. Hypersonic commercial flight represents the next step, but this is only achievable once supersonic transports have proven their worth. 

So, without further ado, let’s explore the 10 most promising supersonic business jet projects to look out for in the future, starting with the least promising ones.

Honorable mention: Aerion SBJ, AS2 and AS3

First, it’s essential to mention an influential player that has recently fallen out of the race. 

For quite some time, it appeared that Aerion 鈥� a venture by Texan billionaire Robert Bass 鈥� was at the forefront of the supersonic race. The company secured prominent financiers and engineers, and its natural laminar flow design, promising to greatly increase the aircraft’s efficiency, was very promising. 

In 2004, the Aerion SBJ was unveiled, boasting a capability of carrying up to 12 passengers at Mach 1.6 鈥� nearly twice the speed of conventional airliners. By 2014, it was replaced by an updated model called the Aerion AS2, equipped with several futuristic design features, allowing it to produce almost no sonic boom while cruising at Mach 1.2. Then, in March 2021, the company revealed the Aerion AS3, a near-hypersonic version capable of cruising at Mach 4, or four times the speed of sound. 

However, behind the scenes, trouble was brewing. Aerion had initially partnered with Airbus on the development. By 2017, Airbus had severed ties with the company, but Aerion received support from Lockheed Martin and General Electric. Yet, both of these companies also withdrew from the project in 2019. Boeing stepped in to partner with Aerion, coincidentally, at the same time the American aerospace giant was grappling with the 737 MAX debacle. 

By the beginning of 2021, Aerion had accumulated more than 300 orders, completed wind tunnel testing for some models, and even started building a factory in Florida. But in May 2021, the company collapsed, reportedly due to a lack of funding. Thus, the dream of the sleek red fuselage of the AS2 gliding above the clouds, faster and smoother than any aircraft before it, was shattered, never to see the light of day. 

Now that we’ve addressed the story of Aerion, let’s turn our attention back to the supersonic projects that currently hold more promise. 

Top 10 supersonic business jets

10. SAI Quiet SuperSonic Transport (QSST)

The X-59 QueSST technology demonstrator, a collaboration between Lockheed Martin and NASA, is scheduled to conduct its . It is a poster child of the supersonic race, and is intended to test the possibility of reducing sonic boom 鈥� the very thing that limited the operations of first generation supersonic airliners.

Not many people know that the roots of the X-59 date back to a particular business jet 鈥� the QSST, in development by Supersonic Aerospace International (SAI). The company, created by Michael Paulson, the son of Gulfstream founder Allen Paulson, Lockheed Martin精东影业 Skunk Works division to develop a 12-seat, Mach 1.8 aircraft which would produce virtually no sonic boom in cruise flight.

But the development was plagued by problems. By 2010 the company had , only to reemerge in 2013 with a new project 鈥� a larger and sleeker supersonic jet. However, new publicity did not help to generate more funds, and the project stalled. On the strength of Lockheed Martin精东影业 work for SAI, NASA selected it to build the X-59.

But what happened to SAI and its plans? Nobody knows. The company精东影业 website still the last update from 2014, and Michael Paulson, Allen精东影业 son, has disappeared from public view. Yet, a lot of money and time was poured into the development. Could SAI emerge again?

9. EON nxt-01

was founded by South African billionaire and tech entrepreneur, Priven Reddy. In August 2021 he鈥痑nnounced the launch of his own aerospace startup 鈥� L.E.A.P., short for Leading Edge Aviation Propulsion (not to be confused with鈥痶he LEAP, a successful turbofan engine by CFM international). 

Since then L.E.A.P. has been quietly鈥痳enamed Eon but has retained its ambitious plans. The first product from the company 鈥� the nxt-1 鈥� is supposed to use quiet sonic boom technology, have the speed of Mach 1.9, and fly at an altitude of 60,000 feet (18,000 meters). 

The company also promises to operate with net-zero carbon emissions, develop a bladeless engine for the improved version of the jet, and conduct the first service by 2029. The aircraft will have between 65 and 88 seats, which would make it viable for airlines. Nevertheless, just as with any aircraft, it can have a bizjet variant. If built, it most likely will.

It also promises to feature the same low-boom technology from the X-59 QueSST demonstrator, which would mean that the nxt-01 could fly above land without shattering windows and eardrums with its sonic boom. 

Eon精东影业 promises are attractive. Yet, the company does not have any experience in aerospace manufacturing and has not demonstrated any achievements besides a host of beautiful 3D renders of its upcoming product. Can it fulfill its promises? Let精东影业 hope so. 

8. Unnamed Russian supersonic jet

Russia had countless projects to build small supersonic commercial aircraft throughout the years. It all started with鈥�the proposal鈥痶o convert the MiG-25 supersonic interceptor for passenger service in the early 1960s and never stopped. 

There was the鈥�Tupolev Tu-144, and several initiatives in the 1990s, and several more in the 2000s. But the real kick-start was given in 2018 when Russian President Vladimir Putin floated the idea of adapting the Tu-160 strategic bomber for passenger service. As bizarre as that idea was, it prompted Russia精东影业 United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) to react and produce some viable concepts for a small supersonic jet. 

The latest news is that drone company 颈蝉鈥�going to manufacture鈥痑n unmanned technology demonstrator for the project, but neither deadlines nor specifications are clear. It is only鈥痥nown that several variants are being studied 鈥� among them an eight-seat business jet and a 30-seat airliner, both capable of flying at Mach 1.8, having a range of up to 8,000 kilometers, and featuring an indigenous version of the low-boom design. 

While it has been鈥�announced鈥痶hat the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is interested in collaborating with Russia on the project, its future is unclear. In April 2021, the head of state conglomerate Rostec鈥�called鈥痶he project 鈥渆conomically unfeasible鈥�. Rostec actually owns UAC, so, if the parent company does not see much point in pursuing the project, it might follow the fate of dozens of previous supersonic transports proposed in Russia. 

7. Unnamed Chinese hypersonic jet

This is the one and only exception to the rule of excluding hypersonic projects in 精东影业精东影业 list. 

Recently, China has proposed a lot of strange and science fiction-inspired aircraft concepts. Among them is the idea of building a six-seat hypersonic commercial aircraft by 2035. While the development is very secretive, the goal is clear, and it has a deadline 鈥� the latter being a feature that most other hypersonic proposals lack.

颁丑颈苍补精东影业 progress with hypersonics actually lends credibility to this idea, and since the development is being conducted by government-funded research institutions, it does not have to abide by the ever-present laws of commerce. This means that China might build it despite no promise of profits.

6. Unnamed Virgin Galactic supersonic aircraft

Richard Branson精东影业 Virgin Galactic announced its entry into the market in August 2020. The aircraft will carry 19 people at an altitude of 60,000 feet (18,000 meters) and at the speed of Mach 3, the company said.

On their own, those numbers look impressive 鈥� most other supersonic bizjet projects barely scratch Mach 2, and are somewhat smaller. But it is difficult to tell how seriously the company takes this project as no further information has been revealed 鈥� no deadlines, no costs, nothing. Is Virgin Galactic精东影业 project just a way to attract attention?

On the other hand, the company has demonstrated that it can impress – when its Unity flew Branson to the edge of space. Maybe, one day, the supersonic jet project will take off too.

5. Lockheed Martin Quiet Supersonic Technology Airliner (QSTA)

Lockheed Martin is the first entry on our list which seems to have a decent chance of coming to fruition.

The company worked on the X-59 QueSST for the better part of the past decade, gaining knowledge and know-how on quiet supersonic flight technology. After partnerships with SAI and Aerion failed one after another, Lockheed Martin decided to do the job itself.

Its was unveiled in 2019 鈥� a 40-seat Mach 1.8 project with a V-tail and a range of 5,200 nautical miles (9,600 kilometers). By 2023, Lockheed Martin hopes to achieve significant milestones by testing the X-59, and begin designing the QSTA in earnest.听

The aircraft is going to be a bit bigger than a regular business jet. Nevertheless, if successful, it will probably have a bizjet variant, especially if Lockheed Martin manages to be one of the first companies to build a commercial supersonic aircraft with low-boom features.

4. Unnamed Japanese supersonic jet

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has been mulling the idea of a supersonic commercial jet for quite some time, and even tested a small-scale prototype in 2005. 

In June 2021, JAXA organized a body called the Japan Supersonic Research (JSR) council, which includes Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Kawasaki Heavy industries and Subaru 鈥� all that would consume at least 13% less fuel and have a 50% smaller sonic boom than the Concorde.

No further information was revealed but, judging by the companies involved, it seems like a solid project.

3. Exosonic Supersonic Jet

is simple: it wants to make a 70-seat Mach 1.8 passenger plane which, in terms of individual tickets, would be as cheap as a regular business class ticket today.鈥�

This does seem like a bit of a stretch given that other supersonic transport proposals involve either smaller speeds, smaller capacities, or avoiding talking about the price. But, in September 2020, Exosonic鈥�was awarded鈥痑 contract by the US Air Force Presidential and Executive Airlift Directorate 鈥� the agency that runs the United States Presidential and Executive Airlift fleet.听

On top of that, in October 2021 Exosonic secured鈥�another big contract鈥痜or supersonic drones, which suggests that the US government takes the company seriously.听

Exosonic aims to achieve certification for its aircraft by the year 2029. 

 2. Spike S-512

is a bit of a mystery. On the one hand, it is one of the most successful and prominent supersonic transport projects of this new generation. It was established in 2014, tested a subscale prototype by 2017, and has been staying in the zeitgeist with constant updates.听

On the other hand, little is known about the company and its projects beyond several 3D renders and an ever-receding deadline. Initially, it promised to operate the jet by 2018; as of late-2023, no tangible results have been published even though deliveries were promised to start in 2023 鈥� even the demonstrator flights have been kept secret with no pictures or results revealed.听

Nevertheless, it does seem to hold a lot of promise. Spike精东影业 business jet is expected to be a low-boom, Mach 1.6 capable aircraft configurable to carry between 12 and 18 passengers. One of its main features is the windowless cabin, with screens all over the walls. The idea could certainly make the engineering of the plane easier, but it is yet to be successfully implemented or tested.

1. Boom Overture

Together with Spike and Aerion, Boom Technology is one of the most talked-about companies, and one of the leading voices in supersonic flight research. The concept for the Overture airliner was revealed in 2016 and has undergone significant changes since then as the firm researched the market. 

Boom精东影业 concept is much simpler than those of its competitors: its top speed is only Mach 1.7, and the aircraft does not have any ultra-modern features such as a windowless cabin or even a low-boom design. While this means that the Overture would only be allowed to fly over oceans, it could make up for that with a cheaper price and shorter development time.听

The company is very close to the demonstrator’s test flight,鈥�received鈥痑 contract from the US Air Force, and accepted several dozen orders from major airlines. It expects to test a full-scale prototype of the Overture by 2026 and begin mass-producing the jet by the end of the 2020s.听

Presenting itself as a successor to the Concorde project 鈥� even down to hiring people who worked on the legendary jet 鈥� Boom Technology is aiming high. And while the aircraft itself seems unremarkable when compared with other entries on this list, it also appears to be the most realistic and has the highest probability of being built.

There is, however, one more hurdle standing in the way of realizing these supersonic projects: their potential impact on the climate. 

Are supersonic planes environmentally friendly?

Environmental regulations in many countries have increased dramatically since the first generation of supersonic jets, and the public精东影业 awareness of how important it is to reduce emissions has risen. On top of that, the output of emissions is directly tied to the consumption of fuel. More efficient aircraft which pollute less are also a lot cheaper to fly 鈥� an equation which determined the incredible rise in鈥痚fficiency (and鈥�size) in the last generation of aircraft engines.听

Not inherently, but they have the potential to be. The aviation industry has made significant strides in reducing its environmental footprint in recent years, and many companies assert they can hold their supersonic innovations to the same standards.听

Almost every company mentioned in this list highlights the efficiency and minimal environmental impact of their forthcoming jets in their promotional materials, expressing their intent to greatly improve upon Concorde’s less-than-impressive emissions record.听

So, can companies promising to accelerate aviation also deliver on their promise to make it more eco-friendly? Time will certainly be the judge. 

In a briefing with the press, Boom CEO and Founder Blake Scholl revealed three new suppliers to provide structures for the Overture: the Spain-based companies Aernnova for the wing and Aciturri for the empennage, and the Italian manufacturer Leonardo for the fuselage and system integration.

鈥淥verture will be an opportunity to provide our expertise in the design and development of aerostructures for the first sustainable supersonic aircraft,鈥� Aernnova chief executive officer Ricardo Chocarro said. 鈥淎ernnova has extensive experience in designing composite aerostructures such as wings and empennage鈥�

Boom highlighted the importance of Overture精东影业 gull wings, shaped to reduce drag during supersonic flight.

The manufacturer also announced that the first 40 Symphony engines meant for ground testing, flight testing, and certification, will be produced in partnership with Kratos鈥� Florida Turbines Technologies (FTT) at a facility in Jupiter, Florida.

Symphony is a two-spool, medium-bypass turbofan engine, with no afterburner. Scholl defined it as a 鈥渃onventional turbofan architecture optimized for the needs of sustaining supersonic flight.鈥�

Boom concluded by announcing deals with Dimensional Energy and Air Company to supply 10 million gallons (37 million liters) of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) per year.

Boom teams up with Kratos to manufacture supersonic airliner engines

• Aviation Technology and Innovation
• Civil Aviation

byClement Charpentreau

2022-12-13

The aircraft, registered as N990XB, was filmed with its engines exposed at MHV on April 15, 2023, marking the first time the company has tested the engines on its supersonic demonstrator in more than a month.  

Prior to April 15, 2023, when the aircraft was spotted on the radar for almost two hours between 2:16 PM (UTC -7) and 4:05 PM (UTC -7), it previously appeared on March 13, 2023, according to ADS-B Exchange data. 

According to Boom Supersonic, the XB-1, is 鈥渋ntended to inform the design of Overture, Boom精东影业 supersonic commercial airliner, and lessons from XB-1 have already helped optimize Overture鈥�.  

The company rolled out the XB-1 in October 2020, with the plan of flying the aircraft for the first time in 2021. However, it has not yet flown and Boom Supersonic精东影业 timeline for the XB-1 shows that the demonstrator is scheduled to begin its flight testing campaign in 2023. 

Unlike Overture, Boom Supersonic精东影业 XB-1 is powered by three General Electric (GE) J85 engines, a small single-shaft turbojet that is also used on fighter jets such as the T-38 Talon and the F-5. 

Meanwhile, the company partnered with Kratos Defense, a military-focused manufacturer based in Florida, United States (US), to build the Symphony, the engine for the Overture. The supersonic jet is planned to have a Mach 1.7 cruise speed, carry between 65 and 80 passengers, and fly up to 4,250 nautical miles (7,867 kilometers). 

Boom teams up with Kratos to manufacture supersonic airliner engines

• Aviation Technology and Innovation
• Civil Aviation

byClement Charpentreau

2022-12-13

When Boom Supersonic unveiled the Symphony, the company stated that the supersonic aircraft is on track to be certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 2029, with production beginning in 2024. Subsequently, the manufacturer expects to roll out the Overture in 2026 and begin flight testing in 2027. 

The Overture will be built in Greensboro, North Carolina, the United States (US), on a site at Piedmont Triad International Airport (GSO). 

精东影业 approached Boom Supersonic for comment. 

Boom breaks ground of supersonic Overture Superfactory

• Aircraft
• Aviation Economics & Finance

byRytis Beresnevicius

2023-01-27

The state-of-the-art, 62-acre campus is located at Piedmont Triad International Airport (GSO). According to Boom, the ground-breaking is another step towards the company starting production of its SST jet by 2024. The factory will host a final assembly line, test facilities and customer delivery center for the Overture. 

Overture is the company精东影业 only planned commercial aircraft so far. Cruising at Mach 1.7 at an altitude of 60,000 feet, it will seat between 65 and 80 passengers, offering a range of up to 4250 nautical miles (4888 miles or 7867 kilometers). 

鈥淭his milestone is a shared one and we are deeply appreciative of the input, leadership, and support of the Piedmont Triad Airport Authority, local community, and the state of North Carolina,鈥� remarked Kathy Savitt, the President of Boom Supersonic. According to the manufacturer, the site will host more than 2,400 employees by 2032, and its presence in North Carolina will add at least $32.2 billion to the local economy over the next 20 years. Furthermore, over 200 internship positions will be created for North Carolina精东影业 universities, community colleges and trade schools. 

Roy Cooper, the Governor of North Carolina, added: “Our economy is taking flight with a talented workforce and strong infrastructure ready for these new, good-paying jobs in innovation and aerospace.鈥�  

Boom plans to install factory tooling at the site in 2024, in order to launch the production of the Overture the same year. 

Continuing to build the Overture supply chain 

The commencement of construction of the company精东影业 GSO site is another step forwards for Boom. Recently it found an engine partner, as well as partners to develop training programs for flight and maintenance crews for the Overture. 

After being shunned by Rolls-Royce and CFM International – a joint venture of GE Aviation and Safran Aircraft Engines – Boom partnered with Kratos Defence to build the Symphony, the engine of Overture. 

Rolls-Royce and Safran Aircraft Engines (previously known as Snecma) jointly built the Rolls-Royce/Snecma Olympus 593 engines used on the Concorde. 

Flying Concorde was 鈥渢ruly magic鈥�

• International Pilots’ Day

byRytis Beresnevicius

7 minute read

Kratos Defence, however, has focused on defense-related products throughout its history, including the development of the XQ-58 Valkyrie stealth drone. 

Boom teams up with Kratos to manufacture supersonic airliner engines

• Aviation Technology and Innovation
• Civil Aviation

byClement Charpentreau

2022-12-13

The manufacturer of the Overture has also partnered with Flight Safety International (FSI), to train pilots, cabin crew and engineers for the supersonic jet. Drawing from the expertise of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), Boom wants to develop a full curriculum, including flight simulators and training environments for the personnel who would operate the aircraft. 

Boom Supersonic finds pilot flight training and education partners

• Aircraft

byRytis Beresnevicius

2022-12-16