Boom Supersonic completes construction of Overture Superfactory

On June 17, Boom Supersonic (Denver, Colo., U.S.) held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of its Overture Superfactory, where it will build its supersonic airliner Overture. The facility, which began construction in 2023, is located at the Piedmont Triad International Airpot in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Boom reports the first assembly line has the capacity to produce 33 Overture aircraft per year, valued at more than $6 billion. Boom plans to build an additional assembly line, scaling to produce 66 supersonic airliners annually. The Overture Superfactory campus will also include a delivery center where airlines including United, American, and Japan Airlines will receive their supersonic aircraft.

The building completion comes shortly after the inaugural flight of XB-1, the supersonic demonstrator aircraft for Overture. XB-1 features a carbon fiber and titanium fuselage measuring 71 feet in length. Its ogive (modified delta) wing enables safe operation at takeoff and landing as well as supersonic speeds. XB-1 has received a Special Flight Authorization (SFA) to Exceed Mach 1 from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The XB-1 flight test program continues to progress in Mojave, California.

Built by BE&K and designed by BRPH, the Overture Superfactory will be LEED certified and is expected to be at least 40% more energy efficient compared to similar manufacturing facilities. In addition to prioritizing sustainable products, the facility will integrate urban heat mitigation materials, high-efficiency LED lighting, and water conservation systems to reduce energy and water consumption. 

Boom will now focus on operationalizing the production floor, which includes designing and implementing assembly stations, and finalizing processes for materials movement and drilling. In partnership with tooling supplier Advanced Integration Technology (AIT), Boom will begin procuring and installing tooling into the Superfactory, 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. 

“Construction of the Overture Superfactory represents a major milestone toward ensuring the United States’ continued leadership in aerospace manufacturing,” says Blake Scholl, founder and CEO of Boom Supersonic. “Supersonic flight will transform air travel, and Overture provides a much-needed innovative alternative for airlines across the globe.”

The Superfactory is expected to contribute more than $32 billion to North Carolina’s economy and create 2,400 jobs over the next 20 years.