Northrop Grumman and aerospace firm Boom Supersonic have announced a new collaborative effort to develop a supersonic military aircraft for the US and international allies.
The deal, finalized at the 2022 Farnborough International Air Show, will see the two American companies build a variant of the Overture supersonic airliner to provide quick-reaction capabilities to the military.
The aircraft will carry up to 80 passengers, with a top speed twice that of ordinary airliners.
It will reportedly be designed to support government and military missions that require rapid response, including delivering supplies, medical evacuation, and surveillance missions.
The Overture variant will be fitted with advanced technologies that allow it to coordinate with other aircraft and ground assets in various operational scenarios.
Boom will be responsible for developing the aircraft based on its Overture airliner, while Northrop will integrate unspecified airborne defense systems.
Unlocking Advanced Capabilities
Northrop Grumman official Tom Jones told Breaking Defense that the supersonic aircraft will have significantly greater payload capacity.
He further noted that the US and its allies will have access to the aircraft for missions where advanced system capabilities and speed are critical.
“Pairing Northrop Grumman’s airborne defense systems integration expertise with Boom’s advanced Overture supersonic aircraft demonstrates the power of collaborations like this for the benefit of our customers,” he said.
Boom Supersonic Chief Executive Officer Blake Scholl stated that the collaboration would unlock Overture’s “unmatched high-speed mission capability” for militaries around the world.
He added that time is a strategic advantage in high-consequence scenarios, thus the creation of a new supersonic aircraft.