Denver-based aerospace startup Boom Supersonic has gotten a boost in its effort to return supersonic speeds and add greater sustainability to aviation. United Airlines has agreed to purchase 15 of Boom’s Overture airliners, once it meets United’s demanding safety, operating, and sustainability requirements, with an option for an additional 35 aircraft. The companies will work together on meeting those requirements before delivery.
Once operational, Overture is expected to be the first large commercial aircraft to be net-zero carbon from day one, optimized to run on 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). United and Boom will also work together to accelerate the production of greater supplies of SAF.
“United continues on its trajectory to build a more innovative, sustainable airline and today’s advancements in technology are making it more viable for that to include supersonic planes,” said United CEO Scott Kirby. “Boom’s vision for the future of commercial aviation, combined with the industry’s most robust route network in the world, will give business and leisure travelers access to a stellar flight experience.”
Capable of flying at speeds of Mach 1.7—about twice the speed of today’s fastest airliners—the Overture can connect more than 500 destinations in nearly half the time. Among the many potential routes for United is Newark to London in just 3.5 h, Newark to Frankfurt in 4 h, and San Francisco to Tokyo in just 6 h.
The Overture is being designed with features such as in-seat entertainment screens, ample personal space, and contactless technology. Working with Boom is another component of United’s strategy to invest in innovative technologies that will build a more sustainable future of air travel.
“The world’s first purchase agreement for net-zero carbon supersonic aircraft marks a significant step toward our mission to create a more accessible world,” said Blake Scholl, Boom Supersonic Founder and CEO. “United and Boom share a common purpose—to unite the world safely and sustainably. At speeds twice as fast, United passengers will experience all the advantages of life lived in person, from deeper, more productive business relationships to longer, more relaxing vacations to far-off destinations.”
Scholl and boom have been building a team to make that happen.
In May, Boom added a highly regarded technology CFO to its Board of Directors. Liz Huebner, who previously served as CFO of Getty Images, Primus Knowledge Solutions, and Fluke Corp., will chair the company’s audit committee and help guide it through its next phase of rapid growth.
“I’m so inspired by Boom’s mission to make the world more accessible with sustainable supersonic flight, and I believe Boom’s management team has what it takes to make this vision a reality,” said Huebner.
Also in May, Boom added to its Advisory Council Dr. Mark Lewis, Executive Director of the National Defense Industrial Association’s Emerging Technologies Institute. As a researcher, Lewis is best known for his work in hypersonic aircraft and propulsion. He will lend his expertise on high-Mach aircraft and engine design as Boom looks toward future programs.
“Faster aircraft are a long-overdue next step in the future of air travel,” said Lewis. “I am excited for the opportunity to help Boom build out its long-term vision of even faster point-to-point transportation.”
Boom’s Advisory Council has grown significantly in-depth and breadth as the company scales rapidly. Lewis is joining other leaders in aerospace, design, sustainability, and wellness: Tim Brown, Phil Condit, Dan Javorsek, Dr. Lourdes Maurice, Tekedra Mawakana, and Andrea Morgan.
“We’ve been so fortunate to attract a growing group of leaders in aerospace and many other fields who are eager to join us in our mission to make the world dramatically more accessible through supersonic flight,” said Scholl.
The company is currently completing its design of the 65-88 seat Overture with key partners. Rolls-Royce is developing a custom propulsion system that reduces community noise, optimizes fuel efficiency, and accommodates 100% sustainable aviation fuel. Collins Aerospace engineers are developing versatile systems to maximize Overture’s efficiency at supersonic speeds as well as its stability at takeoff and landing. Amazon Web Services is helping to unlock capabilities in testing and experimentation, powering millions of sophisticated simulations and iterations.
Boom is scheduled to break ground on its manufacturing facility in 2022, begin production in 2023 and roll out a completed aircraft in 2025. Flight testing and certification work are planned to begin in 2026, with the goal of flying passengers by 2029. The company is currently engaged in ground testing of its supersonic demonstrator, XB-1, heading toward flight testing by early next year.
The company’s plans partially depend on favorable regulatory conditions.
In January, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DoT) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a final rule to facilitate the safe development of civil supersonic flight. The rule streamlines and clarifies procedures to obtain FAA approval for supersonic flight testing in the U.S., which is a key step in ultimately bringing their products to market.
“The FAA supports the new development of supersonic aircraft as long as safety parameters are followed,” said FAA Administrator Steve Dickson. “The testing of supersonic aircraft at Mach 1 will only be conducted following consideration of any impact to the environment.”
The DoT and the FAA anticipate taking additional regulatory actions to enable the development of supersonic aircraft.
In April, Scholl testified before the U.S. House of Representatives’ Subcommittee on Aviation on innovation in U.S. aerospace and the company’s efforts to reintroduce safe and sustainable supersonic travel.
“Supersonic flight will unlock new possibilities for human connection and for business, but this is only possible thanks to the leadership of Congress and the federal government to support emerging aviation technology,” said Scholl. “The reintroduction of supersonic flight, along with the integration of other new kinds of aircraft, will ensure continued job growth in this important sector and help ensure the U.S. maintains its global leadership in innovation and the future of transportation.”
The testimony highlighted the importance of regulatory certainty, which will enable Boom and others to bring innovative aircraft to market. The company also believes that policy incentives will play a critical role in accelerating the production and adoption of SAF, which it says is a key contributor to the sustainability of long-haul aviation. The company supports measures such as blender tax credits to accelerate the SAF production, and it is working with a coalition of fuel producers, operators, airports, and manufacturers to advance this key policy.
