In 2021, as Boom XB-1 flight tests commence, Boom intends to begin Overture wind-tunnel tests
Introduce
Boom Technology, also known as Boom Supersonic, was founded in 2014. The company’s goal is to develop and test a technology demonstration aircraft, on the basis of proven solutions. If all goes well, commercial supersonic flights will officially be revived.
The XB-1 experimental aircraft was announced in the fall of 2016, nicknamed the Baby Boom. The prototype is one-third the size of the future Boom Overture supersonic transport plane. Due to delays at various stages, the maiden flight is delayed into 2018, then into 2019, and now 2021.
Design
The published images of the XB-1 show that the aircraft has a similar design to a regular passenger plane, with all its characteristic features, from contours to structural elements.
According to the manufacturer, the aircraft uses a variety of materials typical of modern aircraft construction. The power set is made of aluminum alloys and titanium. The carbon-composite airframe maintains its strength and rigidity, even under the high temperatures and stresses of supersonic flight.
It has a two-crew cockpit, chined forebody and swept trailing edges. For thermal control, the environmental control system uses the fuel as a heat sink to dump cabin heat.
The experimental plane has a length of 21 meters (68 ft), a wingspan of 5.2 meters (17 ft) and a maximum take-off weight of 6.1 tons (13,500 lb). It is expected that the XB-1 Overture commercial aircraft will have 55 to 75 seats, equivalent to the business class of a conventional civil aircraft.
Powerplant
The XB-1 Baby Boom is powered by three non-afterburning J85-15 engines with variable geometry inlets and exhaust. The prototype should be able to sustain Mach 2.2 with more than 1,900 km (1,000 nmi) of range.
Thanks to its superior speed, the XB-1 promises to cut the journey time by half. Currently, Boom has launched attractive ads for New York – London route with travel time of 3 hours and 15 minutes and ticket price is only 2,000 pounds (about 2,500 USD).
Specifications
(Source: Wikipedia)
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Length: 68Â ft (21Â m)
- Wingspan: 17Â ft (5.2Â m)
- Max takeoff weight: 13,500Â lb (6,123Â kg)
- Powerplant: 3 × General Electric J85-15 turbojet, 4,300 lbf (19 kN) thrust each
Performance
- Maximum speed: Mach 2.2
- Range: 1,000 nmi (1,200 mi, 1,900 km)
