Supersonic flight has existed for 70 years, but until now, it hasn’t been efficient enough for routine travel. Boom’s airliner enables fares 75% lower than Concorde, about the same price as today’s business class tickets.
This advance in efficiency is made possible by a breakthrough aerodynamic design, state-of-the-art engines, and advanced composites.
‘Boom Supersonic’ is developing passenger plane that will travel Mach 2.2 is 1,451 MPH — 2.6x faster than other airliners.
key technologies for efficient supersonic flight include – advanced aerodynamic design, light-weight materials that can withstand supersonic flight, and an efficient super-cruise propulsion system.
Engineering development of XB-1 (“Baby Boom”) is proceeding rapidly, with aerodynamics defined, systems ground tested, and initial structural components in fabrication. Vehicle assembly starts shortly, with first flight planned for next year.
XB-1 is a one-third scale realization of the Boom passenger airliner. It will demonstrate in flight the key technologies for practical supersonic travel.
XB-1 is the first independently developed supersonic jet and history’s fastest civil aircraft.
It is under construction now and will fly next year.
The center of lift shifts aft as a supersonic airplane gains speed, creating challenges for balance and control. To mitigate this shift, we incorporate a chine. The chine is a wing extension that stretches toward the nose. It generates more lift supersonic than subsonic, contributing to natural balance across a wide range of speeds. At takeoff and landing, the chine generates a stable overwing vortex, increasing lift and reducing takeoff and landing speeds.
As we design a clean-sheet modern supersonic airliner, we are taking the opportunity to rethink the end-to-end passenger experience. Our goal is to provide a tranquil and stress-free experience from the moment you step aboard, whether you want to work, play, or relax.
Each passenger has a large personal window, direct aisle access, and a dedicated overhead bin. Seat dimensions will be similar to short-haul first class, with many subtle and not-so-subtle design improvements.
On flights over 6 hours (i.e., those over 15 hours today), airlines may offer a first-class lay-flat suite experience.
Supersonic aircraft fly higher than other aircraft, cruising at up to 60,000ft. At this altitude, you fly above most of the turbulence, allowing a smoother ride than on subsonic aircraft. Looking out your window, you will see the darkness of space above you and the curvature of the Earth below.
Breaking through the “sound barrier” is inaudible and uneventful; you simply won’t notice it. On Concorde, announcements were made and champagne was served to celebrate the moment—which otherwise would have been overlooked.
Boom’s supersonic airliner will fly both higher and faster than existing aircraft. At higher altitudes, the thinner atmosphere filters out less UV radiation, so exposure per unit time is higher. However, faster speeds mean you spend less time in the air in the first place. On balance, total radiation exposure aboard a supersonic jet is about the same as on a subsonic flight of the same distance.
More conclusively, we know for certain that sitting for long stretches of time is unhealthy. Sitting in one place for too long causes blood circulation to slow, which can cause serious problems such as deep vein thrombosis. The Mayo Clinic recommends trying to stand or walk occasionally when on a plane as a preventative measure. Because supersonic flights are shorter than subsonic ones, they involve less sitting. It stands to reason, therefore, that there is at least this one health benefit associated with supersonic travel.
Yes, airliner can also be configured as an ultra VIP personal or business aircraft.
Boom’s airliner is designed to maximize efficiency while producing a “boom” at least 30 times quieter than Concorde’s.
There are many common misconceptions about sonic boom. Other commonplace noises, such as thunder, are louder than sonic booms. Sonic booms generated by commercial aircraft at cruise altitude do not break windows or cause any damage to structures. Sonic booms generated by an F-4 flying below 100 feet have been experienced by humans with no hearing damage or other injury reported. These booms are over 200 times stronger than what Boom’s aircraft will produce.
Unfortunately, supersonic flight is banned over the United States. This ban should be reversed and replaced with a commonsense noise standard, set to promote efficient, affordable supersonic flight while disallowing nuisance. In the meantime, Boom will focus on routes that are primarily overwater—such as New York to London or San Francisco to Tokyo, flying subsonically when over land. Over 500 routes benefit immediately and significantly from supersonic speeds.
Final ticket prices will be set by airlines, but we are designing the aircraft so that airlines can operate profitably while charging the same fares as today’s business class. Our ultimate vision is to reduce operating costs to make supersonic flight even more affordable.