American aerospace company Boom Supersonic (Boom) has released new details regarding its Overture supersonic aircraft at this year’s Paris Air Show.
The company, founded in 2014, has released details of the supersonic plane’s ‘Symphony’ engine, as well as key suppliers for its wing, fuselage, and empennage.
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Spanish aircraft components manufacturer Aernnova will design and develop the wing structure for the Overture. Overture’s gull wings, which are structurally thinner than typical subsonic wings to reduce drag, are shaped to enhance supersonic performance and improve subsonic and transonic handling.
“Overture will be an extraordinary opportunity to provide our expertise in the design and development of aerostructures for the first sustainable supersonic aircraft,” said Ricardo Chocarro, CEO of Aernnova.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Boom as its wing supplier and be part of the world-class network of suppliers supporting Overture’s production.”
Italian multinational Leonardo will act as the primary engineering lead for major fuselage structural components. Leonardo was also selected as the design and build partner for two major fuselage sections of the Overture, including the wingbox.
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By GlobalDataThe proprietary design of Overture’s contoured fuselage has a larger diameter toward the front of the aircraft and a smaller diameter toward the rear, to minimise wave-drag and maximise fuel efficiency at supersonic speeds.
“Leonardo has played an integral role in shaping the success and future of the aviation industry,” said Stefano Bortoli, aerostructures division managing director at Leonardo. “We will build on that tradition and believe in Boom’s continued, and impressive, progress toward bringing sustainable supersonic air travel to the skies.”
Boom has also selected Spain-based Aciturri, a tier-one leader across aerostructures and aero-engines components, to design and develop the empennage for the Overture.
The aircraft’s empennage features a differentiated horizontal stabiliser that allows for greater control at subsonic speeds—particularly takeoff and landing.
“Overture is a generation-defining project,” said Alvaro Fernandez Baragaño, CEO of Aciturri. “We are bringing decades of aerostructures and aero-engines expertise to the future of sustainable supersonic flight with Boom.”
The three new suppliers join Boom’s expanding team of global suppliers, which includes Safran Landing Systems, Eaton, Collins Aerospace, Flight Safety International, FTT, GE Additive, and StandardAero.
Symphony Engine built with SAF in mind
Boom has also released details on the Overture’s propulsion system, which it says is optimised for 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
Boom has shared the engine architecture for Symphony and additional key specifications. The engine’s bespoke design, optimised for supersonic flight, is designed to deliver 25% more time on wing and provide 10% operating cost savings to airline customers.
“Symphony is the key that will unlock the Overture and make it a commercial and enduring success,” said Ric Parker, chair of the Singapore Aerospace Programme, who serves as a senior advisor to the Boom.
“Boom’s strategy with Symphony is very innovative. The approach makes it compelling for top-tier suppliers to seek the opportunity to contribute their expertise and capabilities to this exciting, breakthrough, supersonic engine programme.”
Symphony technical specifications
- Two-spool, medium-bypass turbofan engine, no afterburner
- 35,000 lb thrust
- Optimized for 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)
- Single-stage 72” fan
- Air-cooled cooled, multi-stage turbine
- Additive manufacturing enables lightweight, low part count, and reduced assembly costs
- FAA Part 33 and EASA CS 33 compliant
- ICAO Chapter 14 noise levels
- Low-pressure compressor stages: 3
- High-pressure compressor stages: 6
- High-pressure turbine stages: 1
Boom has also announced an expanded partnership with US-based Florida Turbine Technologies (FTT) to develop the initial production units for ground tests, flight tests and certification. Jupiter, Florida, has been chosen as the base for initial production.
“We believe there is large market potential for both the Overture and Symphony, which will be transformational for the future of high-speed travel,” said Stacey Rock, President of FTT.
“We’ve already made considerable progress on Symphony, and we’re thrilled to expand our role to include the initial production of several dozen units for flight tests and certification.”
