GREENSBORO – Boom Supersonic has announced the engine and propulsion system that will power its Overture jets, along with a collaboration with three industry leaders who will develop it.
Earlier this year, Rolls-Royce announced that it would not continue to pursue development of a supersonic engine for Boom Supersonic along with stating that the company had completed a 2020 deal struck with Boom.
Now, the company will turn toward Florida Turbine Technologies (FTT) for engine design, GE Additive for additive technology design consulting, and StandardAero for maintenance, as it designs and then manufacturers its engine, which will be known as Symphony.
“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, in a statement on Tuesday. “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.”
Among the company’s customers is American Airlines, which earlier this year said it would purchase 20 aircraft from the company. Last year, United Airlines announced it would buy 15 aircraft from the company.
“United and Boom share a passion for making the world dramatically more accessible through sustainable supersonic travel,” said Mike Leskinen, president of United Airlines Ventures. “The team at Boom understands what we need to create a compelling experience for our passengers, and we are looking forward to a United supersonic fleet powered by Symphony.”
What’s happening
A representative from the company told WRAL TechWire earlier this year that despite the decision from Rolls-Royce not to pursue future collaboration, the company remained on track to deliver commercially-viable aircraft that could carry passengers by 2029. The representative noted at that time that the firm would announce plans for its engine system later in the year.
Now, that announcement has been made. The system will operate at net zero carbon and meet mandated federal noise levels known as Chapter 14, according to a statement from the company.
The Overture aircraft is “on track to achieve type certification in 2029,” Boom added.
Production at the Greensboro facility, which could employ as many as 2,400 workers, is scheduled to begin n 2024, with the first aircraft off the production line in 2026 and first flights scheduled for 2027.
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