Can selling power generation be Boom’s ticket to success? Or is it just more distraction from the technical and financial challenges of supersonic commercial flight?
Overture
XB-1 Goes Supersonic, Retires from Service
Boom Supersonic’s XB-1 test aircraft has completed its mission. The plane operated at supersonic speeds on two separate test flights and now will be retired.
XB-1 takes flight, beginning path to supersonic
Boom’s XB-1 can fly. The “demonstrator” aircraft got off the ground in Mojave today for a quick pass through the pattern.
Boom plans new Symphony supersonic engine design
Faced with the reality of no major commercial jet engine manufacturers willing to invest in a commercial supersonic engine, Boom Supersonic now has a new plan. The company will develop its own – dubbed Symphony – in partnership with Florida Turbine Technologies (FTT) for engine design, GE Additive for additive technology design consulting, and StandardAero for maintenance.
American Airlines buys in to Boom, despite significant uncertainties
American Airlines is the second US carrier to sign with Boom Supersonic. The airline plans for 20 Overture deliveries, plus another 40 options.
Boom Overture adds engines in design revamp
Boom Supersonic announced the final design selection for its planned Overture supersonic jet. Now sporting four engines mounted on gull wings, as well as a contoured fuselage, company executives announced the revised configuration at the Farnborough International Airshow outside London this week.
Boom building at Greensboro, new environmental concerns revealed
Boom Supersonic announced plans for a “Superfactory in North Carolina to build its flagship Overture aircraft. Against the backdrop of this progress, however, come new challenges for the company.
United Airlines plans supersonic Boom with new order
United Airlines plans to purchase at least 15 supersonic jets from Boom. If everything goes to plan the jets could be carrying passengers between the US East Coast and Europe by the end of the decade. That’s a big if.
Virgin Galactic makes a move in supersonic travel
Virgin Galactic knows that not everyone will go to space. The company is now (slightly) broadening its potential customer base with plans for a Mach 3 aircraft, focused on delivering high-speed travel around the globe.
Boom Supersonic picks an engine manufacturer (for further discussions)
Should the Boom Supersonic jet take flight later this decade there’s a very strong chance it will be powered by Rolls-Royce engines. While this is not a formal engine model selection it does advance the project and provides further indications as to how the program might take flight.