Boom Technology

Boom Technology, Inc. (trade name Boom Supersonic) is an American company designing a supersonic airliner named the Overture. The company is also developing a one-third-scale demonstrator: the Boom XB-1 Baby Boom.

History
The company was founded in Denver in 2014. 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.

In March 2017, $33 million were invested by several venture funds: Continuity Fund, RRE Ventures, Palm Drive Ventures, 8VC and Caffeinated Capital. Boom secured $41 million of total financing by April 2017. 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. 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.

In January 2022, the company announced plans to build a 400000 sqft manufacturing facility on a 65 acre site at Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro, North Carolina.

In November 2023, a representative of the NEOM Investment Fund announced their investment in Boom at an undisclosed amount. This follows an announcement by Boom of a "Strategic Investment" in the company from the fund.

XB-1 "Baby Boom" demonstrator
The Boom XB-1 "Baby Boom" is a one-third-scale supersonic demonstrator, designed to maintain Mach 2.2, with over 1000 nmi of range, and powered by three General Electric J85-15 engines with 4,300 lbf of thrust. It was rolled out in October 2020. It was expected to be flight tested in 2022, but delays pushed the first flight to March 22, 2024. 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.

Overture airliner
The Boom Overture is a proposed 1.7 Mach, 65- to 88-passenger supersonic transport with a planned 4250 nmi of range. With 500 viable routes, Boom suggests there could be a market for 1,000 supersonic airliners with business class fares. It had gathered 76 commitments by December 2017. It decided to use the delta wing configuration of Concorde and make use of composite materials. It is to be powered by three 15,000 - 20,000 lbf dry turbofan engines.

In January 2021, Boom announced plans to begin Overture test flights in 2026 and Boom CEO Blake Scholl "estimates that flights on Overture will be available in 2030."

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. American Airlines announced in August 2022 had agreed to purchase 20 Boom Overture aircraft.

Symphony engine
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.

Mach 4 airliner concept
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.