Boom To Build Overture Production Plant in North Carolina

Boom expects to break ground this year on a 400,000-sq-ft Overture production plant and begin manufacturing of the supersonic airliner in 2024.

Boom Supersonic called Greensboro, North Carolina, an ideal location for its Overture production plant because it has a built-in aerospace labor pool and is close to the Atlantic Ocean, where it can conduct flight trials. (Image: Boom Supersonic)

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By Kerry Lynch • Editor, AIN monthly magazine

January 28, 2022

Boom Supersonic is taking the next step to bring its Overture airliner to market with the selection of Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro, North Carolina as the site for its manufacturing plant. Plans call for breaking ground on the plant this year, beginning production on the Mach 2.2 Overture in 2024, and employing some 2,400 workers there by 2032.

The company called Greensboro an optimal location for its aerospace workforce base, noting that it includes a large pool of military veterans. In the Piedmont Triad area, Greensboro is home to several aerospace companies, including Honda Aircraft and Haeco Americas. Another advantage to the location, Boom said, is its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, which will facilitate supersonic flight testing.

According to Boom, its program will involve 200 internships through 2032 for students attending publicly funded North Carolina universities, community colleges, and technical schools.

Located on a 65-acre campus, the 400,000-sq-ft Overture “Superfactory” will house the final assembly line, test facility, and customer delivery center. Boom’s headquarters will remain in Denver, the company said.

“Selecting the site for Overture manufacturing is a significant step forward in bringing sustainable supersonic air travel to passengers and airlines,” said Boom founder and CEO Blake Scholl. “With some of the country’s best and brightest aviation talent, key suppliers, and the state of North Carolina’s continued support, Boom is confident that Greensboro will emerge as the world’s supersonic manufacturing hub.”

Boom rolled out its one-third scale XB-1 demonstrator in October 2020 as a testbed for Overture technologies. Initial plans call for an airliner that could carry between 65 and 88 passengers running on 100 percent sustainable fuel. Expected to roll out in 2025 and fly in 2026, the Overture is anticipated to begin revenue passenger flights by 2029. Including both orders and options, Boom claims a backlog totaling $14 billion from United Airlines and Japan Airlines. The company also is working with the U.S. Air Force on potential government applications.