Boom has opened the factory that will manufacture its Overture supersonic passenger airliner at Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro, North Carolina
Overture is a Mach 2.2-capable airliner able to carry up to 88 passengers with a range of 4,890 miles (7,870 km). The aircraft will be powered by three non-afterburning, medium-bypass turbofan engines, two under the wings and one in the tail.
Boom plans to roll out the first completed Overture aircraft in 2025, with entry into service planned for 2029. The aircraft is in its design phase, while engineers at the company plan to start flight testing a prototype of Overture called XB-1 last year.
Blake Scholl, founder and CEO of Boom Supersonic said, “Construction of the Overture Superfactory represents a major milestone toward ensuring the United States’ continued leadership in aerospace manufacturing.
“Supersonic flight will transform air travel, and Overture provides a much-needed innovative alternative for airlines across the globe.”
This first assembly line has the capacity to produce 33 Overture aircraft per year, valued at more than US$6 billion. Boom plans to build an additional assembly line, scaling to produce 66 supersonic airliners annually.
Engineers at Boom will next begin procuring and installing tooling with supplier Advanced Integration Technology (AIT), beginning with an advanced test cell unit. As the first major piece of equipment to be installed, the test cell will be used to develop manufacturing processes, optimize the flow of the assembly line, and prepare staff for Overture production.
The Overture Superfactory campus will also include a delivery center for airline customers to receive their aircraft.
Overture’s order book stands at 130 aircraft, including orders and pre-orders from American Airlines, United Airlines, and Japan Airlines. Boom is working with Northrop Grumman for government and defense applications of Overture. Suppliers and partners collaborating with Boom on the Overture program include Aernnova, Aciturri, Collins Aerospace, Eaton, Honeywell, Latecoere, Leonardo, Safran Landing Systems, and the United States Air Force.
Built by BE&K Building Group and designed by BRPH, the Overture Superfactory is LEED certified and expected to be at least 40% more energy efficient compared to similar manufacturing facilities.
