The first supersonic aircraft engine to run on sustainable fuel

Boom Supersonic’s Overture aims to revolutionize supersonic passenger travel with its new engine. The Overture aircraft, which was introduced a few years ago, aims to bring back supersonic travel similar to that of the Concorde, cutting the London to New York flight time to approximately three hours. While the Overture may not be able to fly faster than the speed of sound over land, it is expected to reach Mach 1.7 while flying over the ocean.

While this is slower than the Mach 2 speeds reached by Concorde planes, supersonic travel could still significantly reduce travel time and open up new opportunities for airlines and passengers.

The Overture aims to be a more sustainable option for supersonic travel compared to the Concorde. The Symphony engine, designed specifically for the Overture, is intended to run on fully sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and be cost-effective. Boom has partnered with Florida Turbine Technologies, GE Additive, and StandardAero to create an “economically and environmentally sustainable supersonic aircraft.” Despite its high speed and fuel consumption, the Overture aims to offer a more environmentally friendly option for air travel.

The engine, unlike other turbofan jet engines, is fitted with a special inlet port designed by Boom and is designed to generate lower noise levels than usual during cruise. The Symphony also has no afterburner, is very lightweight and is described as being 10% cheaper to operate due to its ease of maintenance. Boom Supersonic plans to begin production of the engine in 2024 and the first flight test as part of Overture could take place in 2027.

Source: boomsupersonic.com