Boom Supersonic has unveiled a new design for its 1,300mph airliner, which when launched in 2029 will carry passengers between London and New York in just three and a half hours.
The new look for the aircraft — dubbed “Overture” — is the culmination of “26 million core hours of simulated software design, five wind tunnel tests, and careful evaluation of 51 full design iterations,” according to Denver-based Boom.
The new design was unveiled at this week’s Farnborough International Airshow, with Boom calling the Overture an “economically and environmentally sustainable supersonic aircraft”.
Boom Supersonic has unveiled a new design (above) for its 1,300mph airliner – “Overture” – which when launched in 2029 will carry passengers between London and New York in just three and a half hours
The new design was unveiled at the Farnborough International Airshow this week, with Boom calling Overture an “economically and environmentally sustainable supersonic aircraft”.
Boom says the updated configuration “combines a number of technical innovations in the areas of aerodynamics, noise reduction and overall performance,” with Boom CEO and founder Blake Scholl describing Overture as “a little bit like Concorde and a 747 having a baby.” would have”.
The Overture is powered by four powerful wing-mounted engines, allowing the airliner to fly at Mach 1.7 (1,300 mph) over water and just under Mach 1 (770 mph) over land. In addition, the four-engine design “reduces noise while lowering costs for airlines,” with “engine placement selected to meet the most stringent passenger safety requirements.”
Boom adds that the Overture, which can fly at 60,000 feet and carry between 65 and 80 passengers, will use the “world’s first automated noise reduction system” and fly without afterburners, “while adhering to the same stringent regulatory noise levels as the latest subsonic aircraft”.
The Overture is powered by four powerful wing-mounted engines, allowing the airliner to fly at Mach 1.7 (1,300 mph) over water and just under Mach 1 (770 mph) over land
Boom says Overture, which can fly at 60,000 feet and carry between 65 and 80 passengers, will use “the world’s first automated noise reduction system.”
Boom CEO and founder Blake Scholl describes Overture as “like Concorde and a 747 having a baby.”
“Aviation has not experienced a major leap in decades. Overture is revolutionary in its design and will fundamentally change how we think about distance,” said Boom CEO Blake Scholl
The contoured fuselage has a larger diameter at the front and a small diameter at the rear to minimize drag and gull wings sculpted to improve supersonic performance as well as improve subsonic and supersonic handling.
“Importantly,” Boom adds, “the wing shape also helps ensure safety and stability at any speed.”
Additionally, Overture will incorporate carbon composites that are “lighter, stronger and more thermally stable than traditional metals” and designed from the ground up to be “net carbon-free and fly on 100 percent Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).” with “sustainability interwoven in all aspects, from design and production to flight and recycling at end of life”.
Overture is scheduled to launch in 2025, fly in 2026 and is expected to carry passengers by 2029
Last year United announced a contract to purchase 15 Overture aircraft, with an option for an additional 35. Above is a representation of the previous Overture design in the United livery
“Aviation has not experienced a major leap in decades. Ouverture is revolutionary in its design and will fundamentally change how we think about distance,” said Mr. Scholl. ‘With more than 600 routes around the world, Overture will dramatically make the world more accessible to millions of passengers.’
Boom Supersonic also announced a “landmark partnership agreement” with Northrop Grumman to develop “special mission variants” for the US government and its allies.
“Time is a strategic advantage in high-impact scenarios, from emergency evacuations to disaster response,” Scholl said. “This collaboration between Boom and Northrop Grumman unlocks Overture’s potential to provide the U.S. and our allies with unmatched high-speed capacity when and where it is needed most.”
Last year, United announced a deal to purchase 15 Overture aircraft, with an option for an additional 35.
Overture is scheduled to launch in 2025, fly in 2026 and is expected to carry passengers by 2029.
The Concorde, the last supersonic airliner, entered service in 1976 and flew for 27 years.