| Boom Technology, Inc. | |
| Key People: | |
| Products: | Supersonic aircraft design |
| Num Employees: | 150[1] |
| Founders: | Blake Scholl Joe Wilding Josh Krall |
| Foundation: | Denver, Colorado, U.S. |
Boom Technology, Inc. (trade name Boom Supersonic) is an American company designing a supersonic airliner named the Overture.[2] The company is also developing a one-third-scale demonstrator: the Boom XB-1 Baby Boom.[3]
The company was founded in Denver in 2014.[4] It participated in a Y Combinator startup incubation program in early 2016, and has been funded by Y Combinator, Sam Altman, Seraph Group, Eight Partners, and others.[5]
In March 2017, $33 million were invested by several venture funds: Continuity Fund, RRE Ventures, Palm Drive Ventures, 8VC and Caffeinated Capital.[6] Boom secured $41 million of total financing by April 2017.[7] In December 2017, Japan Airlines invested $10 million, raising the company capital to $51 million: enough to build the XB-1 “Baby Boom” demonstrator and complete its testing, and to start early design work on the 55-seat airliner.[6] In January 2019, Boom raised a further $100 million, bringing the total to $151 million, then planning the demonstrator first flight for later in 2019.[8] [9]
In January 2022, the company announced plans to build a 400000square feet manufacturing facility on a 65acres site at Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro, North Carolina.[10]
In November 2023, a representative of the NEOM Investment Fund announced their investment in Boom at an undisclosed amount.[11] This follows an announcement by Boom of a "Strategic Investment" in the company from the fund.[12]
See main article: Boom XB-1.
The Boom XB-1 "Baby Boom" is a one-third-scale supersonic demonstrator, designed to maintain Mach 2.2, with over 1000nmi of range, and powered by three General Electric J85-15 engines with 4300lk=onNaNlk=on of thrust.[13] It was rolled out in October 2020.[14] It was expected to be flight tested in 2022,[15] but delays pushed the first flight to March 22, 2024.[16] During the test flight, the aircraft reached speeds of up to 238 knots (273 miles per hour) and achieved an altitude of over 7,000 feet.[17]
See main article: Boom Overture.
The Boom Overture is a proposed, 65- to 88-passenger supersonic transport with a planned 4250nmi of range.[18] With 500 viable routes, Boom suggests there could be a market for 1,000 supersonic airliners with business class fares.[7] It had gathered 76 commitments by December 2017.[6] It decided to use the delta wing configuration of Concorde[19] and make use of composite materials.[6] It is to be powered by three dry turbofan engines.[6]
In January 2021, Boom announced plans to begin Overture test flights in 2026[20] and Boom CEO Blake Scholl "estimates that flights on Overture will be available in 2030."[21]
United Airlines announced in June 2021 that it had signed a deal to purchase 15 Boom Overture aircraft, with an option to buy 35 more.[22] [23] American Airlines announced in August 2022 had agreed to purchase 20 Boom Overture aircraft.[24]
See main article: Boom Symphony.
In December 2022, Boom announced the Symphony, a new propulsion system to be designed for the Overture. Boom will work with three companies to develop Symphony: Florida Turbine Technologies for engine design, GE Additive for additive technology design consulting, and StandardAero for maintenance.[25]
Boom Supersonic is participating in a NASA-led study to develop concept designs and technology roadmaps for a Mach 4 airliner. Boom is part of a team led by Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems, alongside Blue Ridge Research and Consulting and Rolls-Royce North American Technologies.[26]