Boom Supersonic has unveiled the completed
design of the XB-1 Supersonic Demonstrator, the subscale prototype of the Boom
supersonic passenger airliner.
When it flies next year, the XB-1 will be the
world’s fastest civil aircraft, and it will demonstrate in flight the key
technologies for mainstream supersonic travel.
The XB-1 design has been refined and optimized
since it was unveiled last fall. The completed design has passed a major
external design review, verifying that it meets performance and safety standards
ahead of component manufacturing and assembly. Among the major changes, the XB-1
now has a third inlet located in the tail. This new inlet design provides
greater propulsion system stability, improving aircraft performance and safety.
In addition, the XB-1 wing design has evolved with the vertical tail modified to
improve performance in crosswind conditions.
“We now have everything required to build
history’s first independently developed supersonic aircraft - the funding,
technical design, and manufacturing partners,” said
Blake Scholl,
Founder and CEO of Boom Supersonic.
The XB-1 Demonstrator will fly with General
Electric engines, Honeywell Avionics, Tencate carbon fiber prepreg, and
3D-printed components from Stratasys. Final assembly and vehicle integration are
taking place in Boom’s facility at Centennial Airport, near Denver, Colorado.
Along with the refined design, Boom also
provided an update on their order book, now totaling 76 aircraft amongst five
world airlines. New airline partners will be announced at special events. The
new aircraft reservations are backed by tens of millions in non-refundable
payments.
“Airlines are excited for something new and
different to offer their passengers - and we’re thrilled that major world
airlines share our vision for a future of faster, more accessible supersonic
travel. We look forward to sharing more about these partnerships in the future,”
added Scholl.
First flight of the XB-1 Demonstrator will be
in 2018. Subsonic flight testing will be conducted near Denver; supersonic test
flights will take place near Edwards Air Force Base in Southern California.
Design Specifications: XB-1 Supersonic Demonstrator
- Crew: Two (pilot + optional flight test
engineer or passenger)
- Length: 68’, Wingspan: 17’
- Maximum Takeoff Weight: 15,400 lb
- Powerplant: 3x General Electric J85-21,
non-afterburning; proprietary variable-geometry intake and exhaust
- Aerodynamics: Chine, refined delta wing
with swept trailing edge
- Cruise: Mach 2.2 (1,451mph, 2,335 km/h)
- Nose Temperature: 307°F (345°F on ISA+20
day)
- Range: > 1,000nmi
Design Specifications: Boom Passenger Airliner
- Crew: Two
- Length: 170’, Wingspan: 60’
- Passengers: 55 standard
- Flight attendants: Up to 4
- Lavatories: 2
- Powerplane: 3x non-afterburning medium
bypass turbofan; proprietary variable geometry intake and exhaust
- Aerodynamics: Chine, refined delta wing
with swept trailing edge
- Long Range Cruise: Mach 2.2 (1,451mph,
2,335 km/h)
- Nose Temperature: 307°F (345°F on ISA+20
day)
- Maximum Design Route: 9,000nm (4,500nm
unrefueled)
|