The second era of supersonic passenger air travel is on its way - at least if Boom Supersonic and partners have anything to say about it - and it is looking sleeker than ever. On Tuesday, the company presented a refined design of its aircraft, the Overture, at the Farnborough Airshow, along with a new partnership with Northrop Grumman.
Boom says it has deployed a number of engineering innovations in aerodynamics, noise reduction, and overall performance for its newest edition of the groundbreaking aircraft. According to the company, it is the product of the culmination of 26 million core hours of simulated software designs, five wind tunnel tests, and the evaluation of 51 complete design iterations.
The result does indeed look impressive, and while some may be concerned about the ecological impact of supersonic flight, Boom promises its airliner is both economically and environmentally sustainable and capable of operating on 100% sustainable aviation fuel. Boom Supersonic founder and CEO Blake Scholl shared his vision,
“Aviation has not seen a giant leap in decades. Overture is revolutionary in its design, and it will fundamentally change how we think about distance. With more than 600 routes across the globe, Overture will make the world dramatically more accessible for tens of millions of passengers.”
Key design features
The key features of the newly revealed design include a four-engine design that will allow the Overture to cruise at speeds of Mach 1.7 over water with a range of 4,250 nautical miles. The manufacturer also says the quadjet setup reduces noise.
Speaking of noise, one of predecessor Concorde's banes of existence, Overture will use the world’s first automated noise reduction system for take-off. This means that the airliner will fly without afterburners in order to meet regulatory requirements.
The contoured fuselage of the aircraft means it has a larger diameter toward the front of the plane and a smaller diameter toward the rear to minimize drag and maximize fuel efficiency at supersonic speeds. Meanwhile, the wings are sculpted to enhance supersonic performance and improve subsonic and transonic handling while ensuring safety and stability at any speed.
In order to aid the construction of the complex curvatures, the aircraft will incorporate carbon composite materials in the majority of the build. These are also lighter, stronger, and more thermally stable than traditional metal constructions.
Beyond the updated design, Boom Supersonic announced today it would be outfitting 'The Iron Bird', a new 70,000-square-foot hardware ground test facility in Centennial, Colorado, to house its first full-scale Overture testing model and flight deck simulators.
Boom says all remains on track to begin production by 2024. The Overture, designed to carry 65 - 80 passengers, has thus far received 70 orders, including from United Airlines and Japan Airlines.
Simple Flying is at the Farnborough Airshow this week. For all the latest news from the show click here!
Quick response special missions version
Furthermore, in a row of recent collaborations, Boom has reached an agreement with American aerospace and defense technology company Northrop Grumman. The two will develop special mission versions of the Overture for government and military operations that require rapid response, such as quick-reaction surveillance and reconnaissance and mobility and logistics missions, including emergency medical and troop transport. Scholl added,
“Time is a strategic advantage in high consequence scenarios, from emergency evacuations to disaster response. This collaboration between Boom and Northrop Grumman unlocks the potential for Overture to provide the US and our allies with an unmatched high-speed capability when and where it’s most needed.”
Are you excited to see supersonic air travel make a comeback? What do you think of the look of the Overture? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts.