Boom Supersonic has confirmed it will build its Overture supersonic plane at Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro, North Carolina. The company expects to begin building the US$500 million factory this year, with aircraft production commencing in 2024.
Overture’s momentum builds for Boom Supersonic
Boom’s much-touted Overture plane will scoot along at Mach 1.7, carrying 65 to 88 passengers and able to cover 4891 miles (7871 kilometers) before refueling. While still on the drawing boards, the Overture has already sparked plenty of interest. In June, United Airlines caused a stir when it said it would buy 15 Overtures with options for 35 more.
If Overture progresses to the point where United starts flying paying passengers on the aircraft, the Chicago-based airline will offer the first passenger supersonic flights since the days of the Concorde.
Japan Airlines also has options to buy up to 20 Boom aircraft through a pre-order arrangement. Booms says commercial interest in Overture, including orders and options, totals $14 billion.
Boom’s decision to move forward and invest in a 400,000 square feet assembly line, testing facility and customer delivery center at Greensbro suggests the Overture program is gathering real momentum. Boom says its first Overture plane should roll off the production line in 2025, with test flights to start in 2026.
“Selecting the site for Overture manufacturing is a significant step forward in bringing sustainable supersonic air travel to passengers and airlines,” said Blake Scholl, founder and CEO of Boom Supersonic.
Boom on the receiving end of generous funding
The company, which Scholl founded in 2014, received a handy $60 million US Air Force contract earlier this month to continue work on the Overture plane. The USAF has previously invested in the Overture, being keen to fund the commercial development of aviation technologies.
Greensboro and North Carolina state officials have approved more than $100 million in incentives to bring Boom to Greensbro. Jacksonville, Florida, and Greenville-Spartanburg, South Carolina also competed for the Boom factory.
But the Peidmont Airport site already had plenty in its favor. The airport has a spare 65 acres next to Interstate 73 and the runway. Piedmont is also handy to the Atlantic where over-water supersonic flight testing can occur.
Then there is the local talent pool. North Carolina is a bit of an aerospace hotspot, so the company has a work-ready pool of skilled labor. There are also several good universities, community colleges, or technical schools nearby, providing Boom with easy access to emerging talent pipelines.
Boom expects their factory will bring more than 1,750 jobs to North Carolina by 2030, expanding to a total of more than high-paying 2,400 jobs by 2032. North Carolina economists estimate that the factory will grow the state’s economy by at least $32.3 billion over 20 years.
A big win for Piedmont Triad International Airport
North Carolina’s Governor is certainly happy with Boom’s decision, channeling the groundbreaking Wright brothers flights 119 years ago in the same state. Governor Roy Cooper called Boom’s decision to build and test Overture in North Carolina “poetic.”
Building the Overture in Greensbro is also a big win for Piedmont Triad International Airport. State, county, and airport officials have worked hard to develop the airport as an aerospace hub in recent years. They’ve pumped millions into developing infrastructure at the airport to attract new business.
The officials also count on Piedmont’s strategic location to win deals like this weeks’ Boom coup. The airport offers easy access to good transport infrastructure, labor pools, and North Carolina’s lifestyle advantages. After receiving such generous funding to build there, Boom’s Blake Scholl is also happy to pump up Greensbro’s tires, saying;
“With some of the country’s best and brightest aviation talent, key suppliers, and the state of North Carolina’s continued support, Boom is confident that Greensboro will emerge as the world’s supersonic manufacturing hub.”
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