Boom Supersonic has selected a site at the Colorado Air and Space Port to support development testing of its Symphony propulsion system for the company’s planned Boom Overture airliner programme.

The company announced that preparations are underway at the Colorado facility, previously used for hypersonic engine development, with prototype engine testing expected to begin before the end of 2025.

According to Boom, the company plans to invest between US$3 million and US$5 million into upgrading the site during 2025 to support the testing campaign.

SYMPHONY ENGINE DEVELOPMENT ADVANCES

Boom described Symphony as a medium-bypass turbofan engine specifically designed for sustained supersonic flight. The engine is being developed internally for the Overture programme rather than adapted from an existing commercial powerplant.

The first phase of testing will focus on the prototype engine core, which measures approximately 12 feet in length and four feet in diameter. Boom stated that the core incorporates the compressor, combustor and turbine sections that form the high-pressure spool of the engine.

“Symphony is rapidly advancing from concept to reality,” said Blake Scholl, Founder and CEO of Boom Supersonic.

Boom added that the company intends to expand the Colorado site during 2026 to support full-scale turbofan testing of the complete Symphony engine prototype.

FACILITY SUPPORTS SUPSERSONIC PROPULSION TESTING

The Colorado Air and Space Port facility includes a dedicated control room and instrumentation systems intended to support engine development data collection and performance analysis. Boom stated that data gathered during the testing programme will be used to refine engineering and manufacturing processes for Symphony.

The company also confirmed that future production of Symphony engines is expected to utilise facilities and personnel at StandardAero in San Antonio once the programme transitions into production.

BOOMLESS CRUISE REMAINS CENTRAL OBJECTIVE

Boom stated that Symphony is being optimised to support the company’s “Boomless Cruise” operating concept, which aims to enable supersonic flight over land without an audible sonic boom reaching the ground.

According to the company, the engine’s transonic performance characteristics are intended to allow Overture to accelerate efficiently to supersonic speeds above 30,000 feet, where atmospheric conditions may permit sonic boom refraction away from the ground.

Boom also stated that its Boom XB-1 demonstrator aircraft exceeded the speed of sound six times during January and February 2025 without generating a sonic boom audible from the ground.

OVERTURE ORDERBOOK STANDS AT 130 AIRCRAFT

The company said the Overture programme currently holds 130 orders and pre-orders from airlines including United Airlines, American Airlines and Japan Airlines.

Boom is developing the aircraft at its Overture Superfactory in Greensboro and said the aircraft is designed to operate on up to 100 per cent sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

The company is also working with Northrop Grumman on potential government and defence applications for the Overture platform.