Boom Supersonic starts mfg. site selection process

Denver, Colorado-based Boom Supersonic has selected Hoar Program Management (HPM) to lead its program to locate, plan, design, and build its first U.S. manufacturing facility for its Mach-2.2 airliner.

In this facility, Boom plans to build Overture, a supersonic commercial airliner to serve transoceanic routes with business-class fares and travel speeds more than 2x as fast as subsonic aircraft. Boom is currently assembling XB-1, a Mach-2.2 supersonic demonstrator aircraft, to prove key technologies in-flight for safe, efficient supersonic travel. The data collected from XB-1 test flights will help refine the design of Overture.

“As XB-1 continues to advance through the build stage, we’re excited to turn our attention to the development of Overture,” said Bill James, Boom’s senior vice president of operations. “Finding a partner that could lead us through this process was an important step, and HPM’s experience in the aerospace industry made them the top choice. We couldn’t be happier to partner with HPM to lead our site selection process.”

Working in collaboration with Boom’s internal project team, HPM’s program management responsibilities include recruitment of all project team members and providers involved in planning, design, supplies, and construction. To help develop and implement the optimal location strategy for Boom’s manufacturing operations, HPM partnered with Site Selection Group (SSG), a provider of global location advisory, economic incentive, and corporate real estate services.

“Both HPM’s team and great partners like SSG are proud to work with Boom as it develops the vision to bring supersonic flight back to the global commercial passenger market and lead the way to bring new and advanced manufacturing jobs to its facility,” said Mike Lanier, HPM president.

Site selection efforts are now underway for the Overture manufacturing site, which will begin passenger service in the mid-2020s. Boom is employing an objective site selection process, evaluating all location factors that will influence operational success.

Boom is growing quickly as it completes assembly of the XB-1 demonstrator and ramps up development of Overture. Today, the company has a full-time team of more than 130 employees and anticipates doubling its staff during the next 12 months. To accommodate the assembly of XB-1 and development of Overture, Boom recently relocated to a large, state-of-the-art facility in Centennial, Colorado.

Founded in 2014, Boom Supersonic has announced pre-orders of its Overture airliner from airlines including Japan Airlines and Virgin Group.