Abandoned by the Jet Engine Factory, Boom Supersonic Collaborates with Kratos to Develop Jet Overture

Jet Overture from Boom Supersonic. (photo: twitter @boomareo)

JAKARTA – Jet aircraft company Boom Supersonic explained its plans on Tuesday December 13 to develop a jet engine in partnership with its Kratos Defense & Security Solutions unit, after a number of legendary civilian jet engine manufacturers left the US startup with few options.

Boom, the latest US startup looking to bring back supersonic flight to life, did not disclose any financial details regarding the announcement. They also outline new deals with GE Additive and maintenance, repair & overhaul company StandardAero.

Boom Chief Executive Officer Blake Scholl, also a former Amazon executive, founded the company in 2014. He said Florida Turbine Technologies will lead the engine design for his Overture jet and also build "the first few engines" for the jet.

Legendary aircraft engine builders General Electric, Safran, Rolls-Royce and Honeywell International Inc said they have no plans to develop civilian supersonic engines for now and are leaving the Overture jet's future behind.

Overture, a 65 to 88-seat supersonic aircraft whose starting price is business-class fares, will cut transatlantic flight time in half to about 3-1/2 hours.

Denver-based Boom made headlines this year after signing buyout deals with airlines such as American Airlines and United Airlines.