No more imitation Concorde
Boom radically changes the design of the Introduction.
The US startup Boom Supersonic is still poised to build the “world’s fastest passenger plane”. The aircraft known as the “Introduction” has so far only existed on the computer – which has the advantage that it can be completely redesigned with just a few clicks. That’s exactly what Boom did.
The dream of supersonic civil aviation continues. At least in the US state of Colorado. That’s where Boom Supersonic is – and nearly two decades after the end of Concorde, it’s working on a successor to the legendary Delta Wing. The startup around founder and president Blake Scholl hasn’t tired of keeping the dream and vision of a supersonic revival internationally for years. That’s why Boom loves to hold press conferences with powerful images at international aviation trade shows. And also this year at the Farnborough Air Show.
The new “Intro”
Boom once again showed his supersonic “introduction” in an animated video – but now the plane has suddenly changed completely. The delta’s three-engine design, strongly reminiscent of the deflated Concorde, became a four-engined engine – with a separate rear panel and strong borrowings from the design of the earlier Boeing 2707, which was planned as a Concorde competitor but did not achieve that stature. Oops model came out.
“Revolutionary” design
Of course, Blake Scholl and his team do not want this fate for their project. Also because they have already put a lot of time, money and energy into the “front”. Bohm explains in a press release that the new design is “the result of 26 million base hours of simulation software design, five wind tunnel tests and a rigorous evaluation of 51 iterations of the complete design.” The configuration now offered combines a full range of technical innovations “in the areas of aerodynamics, noise reduction and overall performance”. CEO Scholl described the design at Farnborough as “revolutionary”. The new aircraft “will fundamentally change our attitude towards distance.”
Boom over the sound
The new “forward” silhouette is similar to the previous Boeing 2707 design.
Just above the sound over the sea
The aircraft’s curved carbon fiber ‘gull wings’ should give the aircraft optimum flight characteristics and increased stability at all speed ranges. Bohm explains that the redesigned fuselage reduces drag and makes the front more efficient in supersonic flight. The four engines mounted under the wing must run on 100% sustainable fuel and CO2– Reduce emissions in this way. The performance of the little-known turboprops is said to help the Foreground reach speeds of “Mach 1.7 over water and just under Mach 1 over land” – which can also be seen as an admission that Boom can’t technically solve the sonic boom problem or want to. If the plane flies supersonic over the open sea, residents of remote island nations are more likely to complain about the noise. It is known that their lobby can be managed.
Boom over the sound
Will this picture become real? United last year signed a letter of intent to buy up to 50 submitted aircraft.
Difficult to make schedule
Other than that, little has changed in the other details of the Introduction. According to Bohm, the plane still plans to take from 65 to 80 passengers, with a length of about 61 meters and a wingspan of 32 meters. The range with a full load should be 7,870 kilometers. Boom selects a redundant 4-wire digital flight control system. Landing flaps and other lift aids must also be operated digitally. Airport noise emissions must comply with the new Chapter 14 of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.
Boom is still aspiring for the first flight of the “Prelude” in 2026, with the approval of 2029. It is doubtful whether this is realistic. So far, the company hasn’t even got a “baby boom” XB-1 airborne test vehicle – although it celebrated its launch in 2020 and was seen flying at Centennial Regional Airport in early 2022. In addition, the “Foreword” is still You lack the proper motor – and a motor on the shelf is probably out of the question.
