Up To Speed: November

From an interview with the XB-1 Chief Test Pilot to the announcement of a new tier-one supplier, here’s a roundup of Boom’s news from November

Welcome to Up to Speed, a monthly recap of news from Boom Supersonic. This November, we spoke with XB-1 test pilot, Bill ‘Doc’ Shoemaker as XB-1 continues to progress toward first flight in Mojave. We announced the selection of tier-one aerospace leader Latecoere, who will be responsible for defining all design principles of the electrical wiring interconnection system (EWIS) architecture for both Overture and Symphony. We also hit a new Symphony development milestone with the successful conduction of the Conceptual Design Review (CoDR).

Boom Supersonic and Latecoere Sign Strategic Supplier Agreement for Overture and Symphony

This month, Boom announced the selection of tier-one aerospace leader Latecoere to join its growing network of global suppliers. As part of the agreement, Latecoere will be responsible for defining all design principles of the electrical wiring interconnection system (EWIS) architecture for both Overture and Symphony.

“Among the major aerostructures and systems suppliers announced for Overture, Latecoere brings tremendous experience in developing and manufacturing certifiable EWIS and advanced aircraft technologies,” said Kathy Savitt, president and Chief Business Officer of Boom Supersonic. “At Boom, we continue to bring together the world’s leading suppliers on Overture and Symphony to make sustainable supersonic air travel a reality.” 

The EWIS will comprise over 103 kilometers (64 miles) of wiring, requiring more than 45,000 electrical connections, guaranteeing optimal safety and system reliability for Overture and Symphony. Latecoere has proven expertise in complex aircraft development processes and methods, and Boom will leverage the company’s industry-leading harness architecture definition software stack. Read more here.

XB-1 Pilot Profile: Bill ‘Doc’ Shoemaker

XB-1 is currently at the Mojave Air & Space Port in Mojave, California, continuing preparations for first flight. The aircraft has undergone extensive ground testing since arriving, including medium-speed taxi test events reaching 90 knots (104 mph).  

In preparation for flight, Boom’s test pilots, including Tristan ‘Geppetto’ Brandenburg and Chief Test Pilot Bill “Doc” Shoemaker, have completed hundreds of hours in the simulator for aircraft evaluation, operations development, training, and human factors assessments. The test pilots also maintain flight proficiency in a T-38 trainer aircraft, the same aircraft that will be used as a chase plane for all flight tests of XB-1. In August, XB-1 received its experimental airworthiness certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), following a detailed aircraft inspection. Boom has also secured letters of authorization to allow Chief Test Pilot Bill “Doc” Shoemaker and test pilot Tristan “Geppetto” Brandenburg to fly XB-1. 

We spoke with Boom’s Chief Test Pilot Bill ‘Doc’ Shoemaker, a former U.S. naval aviator and graduate of the United States Naval Test Pilot School. During his 21-year career as an F-18 pilot, he completed five combat deployments, and twice served as a squadron commanding officer. Learn more on what led Bill here as progress continues in Mojave. Read more here.

Symphony Propulsion System Hits New Development Milestone

Symphony, the Boom-developed propulsion system purpose-built for sustainable and economical supersonic flight, has successfully conducted its key 2023 engineering milestone, known as the Conceptual Design Review (CoDR). This important achievement paves the way toward Symphony’s first hardware rig tests planned for 2024. Read more about Symphony, the Boom-developed sustainable and cost-efficient engine for Overture here.

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