Boom Supersonic
- Boom Supersonic updated its highly anticipated ultra-fast Overture aircraft.
- The Overture now has a decreased passenger capacity, more engines, and new fuselage and gull wing configurations.
- As of now, the startup only has two customers: United Airlines and Japan Airlines.
Colorado-based Boom Supersonic has unveiled updates to the design of its highly anticipated ultra-fast Overture at the Farnborough International Airshow on July 19 …
Boom Supersonic
… bringing the startup one step closer to producing the “world’s fastest airliner.”
Boom Supersonic takeoff.
Boom Supersonic
Source: Boom Supersonic
The Overture was already designed to fly incredibly fast. But to create a more efficient and quiet aircraft, Boom decreased the Overture’s passenger capacity, increased its number of engines, and reconfigured the fuselage and gull wings.
Boom Supersonic
The high-speed aircraft will now have four smaller wing-mounted engines, which will decrease the operational costs and allow it to fly quieter, according to the startup.
Boom Supersonic
These engines will enable the Overture to soar at Mach 1.7 — or about 1,300 miles per hour — over water, faster than the speed of sound.
Boom Supersonic
Source: Insider
But because of loud sonic booms, supersonic aircraft legally can’t fly at ultra high speeds over land.
Boom Supersonic
Source: FAA
As a result, the Overture will only fly at Mach 0.97 as it crosses land.
Boom Supersonic
However, the engine isn’t finalized just yet: The startup is still shopping around for engine options, Blake Scholl, the CEO of Boom Supersonic, said at a press briefing.
Boom Supersonic
Source: Paxex.Aero
Like the engine count, the design for the fuselage and gull wings has changed from previous iterations.
Boom Supersonic
The fuselage will now be wider towards the front of the plane, minimizing drag and improving fuel efficiency …
Boom Supersonic
Source: Boom Supersonic
… while the new gull wings will decrease engine strain and increase safety as the aircraft flies at lower speeds, according to the startup.
Boom Supersonic
And because most of the Overture will be built using carbon fiber composites, the aircraft will be lighter and therefore more fuel efficient.
Boom Supersonic
Source: Boom Supersonic
The company has been testing a small Overture prototype — the Baby Boom — out of Colorado.
Boom Supersonic engine testing.
Boom Supersonic
So far, the net-zero carbon aircraft has undergone five wind tunnel tests performed in multiple locations. These tests have helped Boom improve the Overtures’ performance, control, and fuel efficiency, a spokesperson told Insider.
Boom Supersonic on bridge.
Boom Supersonic
As of now, the startup only has two customers: United Airlines and Japan Airlines. The former ordered 15 Overtures in June 2021.
Boom Supersonic
Source: Insider
Production of a full-scale prototype will begin in 2024 in preparation for the aircraft’s rollout in 2025.
Boom Supersonic Overture factory.
Boom Supersonic
Boom Supersonic has also partnered with Northrop Grumman to build Overture iterations for government and military use.
Boom Supersonic.
Boom Supersonic
In 2026, Boom will begin flight tests in Mojave, California, a spokesperson said. By 2029, the 65 to 80-passenger Overture could begin passenger service.
Boom Supersonic
When in service, the ultra-fast aircraft could be able to bring passengers from Newark Liberty International Airport to London in 3.5 hours or to Frankfurt, Germany in four hours.
Boom Supersonic
Source: Insider
