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| The Boom XB-1. Image: Boom. |
Boom has raised $33 million (roughly Rs 214 crore) in funding, bringing its total funding to $41 million (roughly Rs 266 crore). The amount is sufficient to build the first prototype of its
XB-1 supersonic aircraft, which has been dubbed as the “Baby Boom.”
Boom will be the first successful commercial aircraft startup in over 95 years if the venture is a success. Boom has been backed by angel investors as well as 8VC, Caffeinated Capital, Palm Drive Ventures and RRE Ventures.
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| A model of the aircraft undergoes a wind tunnel test. Image: Boom. |
Boom will be able to fly the technology demonstrator Boom XB-1 because of the funding, the first step in the ambitious plans of the company to make supersonic travel an everyday experience. The first flight program will allow the company to set a new speed record for civil aircraft, essentially making the XB-1 the fastest civilian aircraft in aviation history. The company says they are building the aircraft out of the love for engineering, what really excites them is the human benefits of supersonic travel.
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| The XB-1 (above) and the Boom Jet. Image: Boom. |
Eventually, the Boom plans to build the bigger Boom Jet. The Boom Jet is a Mach 2.2 aircraft, which hurtles across the skies at 2,335 kilometres per hour, which is 2.6 times as fast as other commercial aircraft. The Concorde, a discontinued commercial supersonic aircraft flew at Mach 2.0. Travellers are expected to pay only business class fares on the aircraft, and the Boom Jet can fly from the US to the UK in three and a half hours, from the US to Japan in five and a half hours, and from the US to Australia in six hours and forty five minutes.
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| A view of the interiors of the XB-1. The movie playing is Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens. Image: Boom. |
The experienced team has previously developed technologies used in over forty aircraft and spacecraft around the world, including vehicles for Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Nasa, SpaceX, Amazon and Gulfstream. The company hopes to make supersonic flight viable and efficient enough for routine travel. The company is using cutting edge technologies such as composite fuselages made out of carbon fibre, turbofan engines and high temperature materials systems that can withstand the stresses of supersonic flight.
The XB-1 Supersonic Demonstrator is scheduled for a test flight in 2018, and Boom hopes to carry its first commercial passengers in the early 2020s. The company is also working on the Boom Jet. There are forty five seats in each Boom Jet, with a dedicated window and direct access to the aisle. The company has confirmed that the Boom Jet will be available as a private jet with ultra VIP and business aircraft configurations.
The transition to supersonic flight will be smooth and inaudible, and the aircraft will fly at an altitude of 60,000 feet, where passengers will experience a smoother ride and a lot less turbulence as compared to conventional passenger aircraft.
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