Virgin Galactic (VGX, Las Cruces) and Boom Technology (Denver Centennial) quietly let an option for ten Overture supersonic aircraft lapse in 2020. First reported by the UK's Telegraph newspaper, the development suggests Virgin Galactic will focus on its commercial suborbital space interests in the future rather than supersonic point-to-point travel.
"Virgin Galactic’s options from a 2016 agreement ended in 2020, at which point Boom Supersonic and Virgin mutually decided to allow the options to expire," says a statement supplied by Boom Technology. "We maintain a strong relationship with Virgin and look forward to continued discussions about sustainable supersonic travel with their team."
In 2016, when announcing the options, Virgin Group founder and 11.9% shareholder in Virgin Galactic, Richard Branson described himself as passionate about aerospace innovation and emerging high-speed flight technologies, saying the decision to work with Boom "was an easy one." In a statement issued this week, the Virgin Group said,"we are interested in the development of high-speed, sustainable forms of air travel, and we continue to monitor developments in this area closely."
The Virgin Group's space ventures have experienced a mixed 2023, with Virgin Orbit (OBT) filing for bankruptcy earlier this year after the failure of a LauncherOne rocket in January resulted in the loss of nine commercial satellites. However, Virgin Galactic successfully conducted its first commercial suborbital space flight in June with its reusable suborbital vehicle, VSS Unity.
Boom's 64.80-passenger supersonic aircraft, named the Overture, is due to make its first test flight in 2027. The Denver-based company says the Overture will fly at twice the speed of conventional jets and be fuelled entirely by sustainable aviation fuel. Boom Technology has enjoyed solid venture capital support and interest from commercial airlines and is sticking to a 2029 timeline to introduce the aircraft into service.
Boom Technology says its current Overture book stands at 130 aircraft, including 35 orders with non-refundable deposits and 95 pre-orders from United Airlines (15 ordered plus 35 options); American Airlines (20 ordered); and JAL - Japan Airlines (20 options). The entity has also signed deals with the United States Air Force and Northrop Grumman. At the recent Paris Air Show, Boom closed structural supplier agreements with Aernnova for Overture’s wings, Leonardo for the fuselage and wing box, and Aciturri for the tail.
