Boom Supersonic gets funding for Mach-2.2 airliner

Boom Supersonic (Denver, CO, US) recently announced that it has closed a $100 million Series B investment round, bringing total funding to over $141 million, which will be used to advance the development of the company’s Mach-2.2 commercial airliner Overture.

Boom aims to make Overture “the most community- and environmentally-friendly supersonic jet ever made.” The airliner is being designed to accommodate next-generation sustainable alternative fuels. Boom says advanced aerodynamics and engines will make Overture’s carbon footprint similar to flying international business class today. Future customers include Virgin Group (London, UK) and Japan Airlines (Tokyo, Japan), which have pre-ordered a combined 30 Overture airliners.

“At Boom, our vision is to remove the barriers to experiencing the planet,” says Blake Scholl, founder and CEO of Boom Supersonic. “Today, the time and cost of long-distance travel prevent us from connecting with far-off people and places. Overture fares will be similar to today’s business class — widening horizons for tens of millions of travelers. Ultimately, our goal is to make high-speed flight affordable to all.”

Boom is currently assembling XB-1, a ⅓-scale manned prototype of its Mach-2.2 airliner, to demonstrate the craft’s aerodynamics, advanced composite materials and propulsion system in flight.  The company hopes to fly the prototype later this year.