Leak: Boom Supersonic Comes To Agreement With 3 Small Players On An Engine

Update: ahead of Tuesday’s planned announcement, Jon Ostrower breaks news about the identities of Boom Aerospace engine providers.

Boom looks outside of traditional commercial propulsion for powering supersonic Overture. … Boom is tasking Florida Turbine Technologies, a unit of defense aerospace company Kratos Defense & Security, alone with StandardAero, and a smaller unit of GE Aerospace, according to multiple industry sources.

No one thinks this project will succeed in the marketplace. This would be a huge win if everyone is correct and the smaller players have the experience. There are a lot of chances against success.

The original post was published on December 11th.

The Supersonic jets were ordered by United Airlines. American Airlines did the same this summer. Japan Airlines is a shareholder.

Most people think that the plane won't be built.

• It has a very limited market, relatively short flying range (for an initial plane, at least) and needs to fly overwater due to noise – likely still true even with regulatory changes
• Given the limited market, no major engine manufacturer has seemed willing to step up to make an engine for the plane.

The engine was supposed to be built by RollsRoyce. They didn't come back. All three of the companies passed. They did as well.

An engine manufacturer will be announced by the end of the year. They are doing that on Tuesday. Which one could it be? What's the name of the engine? Regional jet engines are made by Honda. Boom will have a credibility challenge unless they get a major manufacturer to do an about face after taking themselves out of the running.

Credit: Boom Aerospace