Boom Supersonic has announced it will conduct engine tests for its Symphony propulsion system at the Colorado Air and Space Port, a site historically used for hypersonic engine development. Symphony, a custom-designed engine for Boom’s Overture supersonic jet, is a medium bypass turbofan optimized for supersonic flight. The company is investing between $3 million and $5 million into preparing the site for these tests, which are set to begin later this year.
Blake Scholl, Founder and CEO of Boom Supersonic, emphasized that leveraging an existing site allows Boom to build the first privately owned supersonic engine test facility at a fraction of the cost of renting a government facility. “By vertically integrating propulsion, we can accelerate development, reduce costs, and customize the engine for Overture, unlocking capabilities like Boomless Cruise,” Scholl said.
The Symphony engine test facility, located just 35 miles from Boom’s headquarters in Adams County, will host tests of Symphony’s prototype core later this year. The core, which is 12 feet long and 4 feet in diameter, includes the critical components of the engine: the compressor, combustor, and turbine. This represents the first independently developed supersonic jet engine from Boom.
Lynn Baca, Chair of the Adams County Board of Commissioners, hailed Boom’s investment as a significant step forward for the region’s aerospace sector. “Boom’s investment in our community places us at the forefront of the aerospace industry and strengthens our commitment to advancing next-generation transportation technologies,” Baca said.
The Colorado Air and Space Port facility, equipped with a control room and advanced instrumentation, will allow Boom to collect data from Symphony’s core tests. This will help refine the engine’s engineering and manufacturing processes. Boom plans to expand the facility by 2026 to accommodate full-scale testing of the Symphony turbofan prototype.
Jeff Kloska, Director of the Colorado Air and Space Port, expressed excitement about Boom’s presence at the site. “We are thrilled to welcome Boom Supersonic and support the development of their groundbreaking Symphony engine,” Kloska said. “We look forward to a productive partnership and contributing to the growth of our aviation and aerospace ecosystem.”
Symphony has already passed a crucial technical review, paving the way for manufacturing to begin. Parts are currently being produced, and engine assembly is expected to start later this year. Once in full production, Boom will rely on the expertise and facilities at StandardAero in San Antonio, Texas to produce Symphony engines at scale.
The Symphony engine is designed to deliver key advantages for Overture, including the ability to achieve supersonic speeds without generating a sonic boom on the ground, thanks to the Boomless Cruise feature. Symphony also offers enhanced transonic performance compared to conventional engines, enabling Overture to accelerate to supersonic speeds at altitudes above 30,000 feet.
Boom’s XB-1 demonstrator made headlines earlier this year by breaking the sound barrier six times without creating a sonic boom audible on the ground. This success paves the way for Overture to fly supersonically over land with Boomless Cruise. With 130 orders and pre-orders from major airlines such as United, American, and Japan Airlines, Overture’s production is set to begin at Boom’s Superfactory in Greensboro, North Carolina.