Boom Supersonic, a ten-year-old company, is determined to bring back supersonic air travel for everyone. They have recently completed construction on the “first supersonic airliner factory in the U.S.” called Superfactory at the Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro, North Carolina. This location was chosen because it is where the Wright brothers made history with the world’s first powered flight. At the Farnborough Airshow in the UK, Boom provided updates on their project, including details about the Overture’s flight deck.
Boom claims to be reinventing the cockpit with their design, although the final verdict will come from the pilots who fly the plane. The Overture’s flight deck will feature the Honeywell Anthem avionics suite, which is a cloud-connected system that provides pilots with remote access to necessary flight information. It also consolidates various support systems into one place, eliminating the need for multiple apps and websites.
The Anthem hardware includes 17-inch displays with 2K resolution, offering an intuitive user experience similar to a smartphone. Pilots can customize and reconfigure the displayed data, and the symbols used are described as clean and functional. In addition to the Anthem, the Overture cockpit will utilize a head-worn vision system developed by Universal Avionics. The plane will also be equipped with BAE Systems-made Active Control Sidesticks, providing pilots with a better sense of the aircraft’s movements and aerodynamic limits. This is the first time force-feedback sidesticks will be used on a commercial airliner.
Unlike the Concorde, the Overture will not use a droop nose design. Instead, it will employ an augmented reality vision system that sends images of the area underneath the plane to a head-worn device and the primary display.
BOOM SUPERSONIC: REVOLUTIONIZING AIR TRAVEL
In a groundbreaking move, Boom Supersonic is set to revolutionize air travel with its state-of-the-art cockpit and cutting-edge technology. Commercial pilots, including the former Chief Concorde Pilot for British Airways, Mike Bannister, have already tested the cockpit and are thrilled with its capabilities.
But that’s not all. Boom Supersonic is making significant progress in all other aspects of the plane as well. The engines, known as Symphony, are currently undergoing rigorous testing. By the end of next year, we can expect the first fully operational core to be ready.
The hardware for the plane is being manufactured by Florida Turbine Technologies (FTT), a subsidiary of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions. The production will take place at the StandardAero facility in San Antonio, Texas. With an assembly line capable of producing 330 engines per year, Boom Supersonic aims to power 82 Overture supersonic aircraft.
These supersonic planes will be equipped with four twin-spool, medium-bypass turbofan powerplants. Each engine will generate an incredible 35,000 pounds of thrust at takeoff, propelling the Overture plane to mind-boggling speeds.
One of the most impressive features of the Overture plane is its sustainability. The engine will run entirely on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), showcasing Boom Supersonic’s commitment to environmental responsibility. Additionally, the plane will have large fuel tanks, enabling it to cover distances of up to 4,800 miles (7,800 km). With a capacity of approximately 80 passengers, the Overture plane will offer a comfortable and efficient travel experience.
Despite the immense challenges, Boom Supersonic remains confident in its ability to obtain certification from both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) by the end of the decade. This means that the first test flight of this supersonic airliner is expected to take place around the same time.
Get ready to soar into the future of aviation with Boom Supersonic. Exciting times lie ahead!
