San Antonio's aerospace sector is once again making headlines, this time teaming up with Colorado-based Boom Supersonic to bring to life what could be the future of air travel. In a partnership expansion, StandardAero has been slated to assemble and test the engine core for Boom's supersonic jet, the Overture, at one of its San Antonio facilities. The development, as described in an San Antonio Report, marks a significant step forward for both entities in the revival of commercial supersonic flight.
In an industry where the past meets the cutting edge, Boom CEO Blake Scholl emphasizes speed in moving from concept to creation, telling Aviation Week Network, "Our plan is to get to hardware quickly, and let’s learn and iterate." With the Symphony engine transitioning from a mere "sketch on a napkin" to conceptual completion within eighteen months, there’s a palpable sense of urgency to redefine what's possible in aviation. The first full-scale engine core is projected to be operational within just 18 months, and the announcement comes with an expectation that StandardAero will be able to assemble 330 engines a year.
The renewed interest in supersonic flight is set against the backdrop of a once stalled industry, which saw a retreat following the tragic crash of an Air France Concorde in 2000. However, with companies like NASA and, as hinted by Scholl in the July 23 announcement, private aviation sectors are betting on new technology to make supersonic travel both financially viable and environmentally sustainable.
Reflecting on the partnership's potential, Russ Ford, chairman and CEO of StandardAero, expressed excitement about the future, "Our collaboration is a testament to StandardAero’s world-class engineering capabilities and dedication to delivering solutions that power the future of air travel," he told Aviation Week Network. The turbo-charged partnership plans to see a full-scale Symphony engine core running on a test stand by the end of 2025, aiming to have the Overture in the skies by 2029.
The partnership holds significant promise for job growth in the San Antonio area, home to a storied aerospace industry with a 2018 estimated economic impact of $3.4 billion. It also looks to be a boon for StandardAero that, already boasting a 25-year presence at Port San Antonio and an 800-strong workforce, anticipates several hundred more hires in the coming years according to Dan Gonzalez, vice president of business development. Benefits extend to prospective employees, too, who may be supported by the City of San Antonio’s Ready to Work’s on-the-job training pilot program.
Boom Supersonic's ambitious agenda, which saw the successful test flight of the independently developed supersonic jet XB-1 in March, is now one step closer with StandardAero's integration into the Overture project. Scholl told Flight Global that they plan for the XB-1 to break the sound barrier by year's end, setting the stage not just for commercial ventures but for San Antonio's continued prominence in aerospace advancements.
