Boom Supersonic, a company which aspires to build the supersonic airliner of the next generation, has signed a partnership with the United States Air Force (USAF).
The partnership was signed by AFWERX, an innovation program of USAF. It came with Strategic Funding increase (STRATFI) contract valued at $60 million.
According to the company’s press release, the contract is intended to accelerate research and development of Boom’s upcoming supersonic airliner, the Overture, and “ensure that the U.S. remains at the forefront of supersonic commercial development.“
“STRATFI funding will accelerate critical design and development initiatives on Overture, including wind tunnel testing and propulsion system definition,” the release explains.
It is a follow-up on the Air Force’s previous investment into Boom. In September 2020, the company was awarded a contract to explore Overture’s use as a potential executive transport – the Air Force One.
Boom Supersonic claims that besides transporting governmental figures, the USAF can find a wide array of uses for the Overture. Such applications include intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and transporting special operations forces.
The Boom Overture, which is expected to fly by 2026 and enter serial production by the end of the decade, is designed as a Mach 1.7 aircraft capable of carrying between 65 and 88 passengers.
According to the manufacturer, the airline will also be capable of running on 100% sustainable aviation fuels.
Currently Boom is preparing to test the XB-1, a one-third scale technology demonstrator for the Overture.