Boom Technology Chooses Colorado Air and Space Port for Testing Supersonic Jet Engines
Boom Technology, the Colorado company at the forefront of developing the next generation of supersonic jets, has chosen a new location just 30 miles north of its Centennial headquarters for testing its engines of the future. The company has secured a five-year lease with Adams County to conduct its testing at the Colorado Air and Space Port in Watkins.
Adams County commissioners approved the lease this week, with Boom committing to invest $3 million to $5 million in upgrading the testing site at the space port. The move has been met with excitement from local officials, with Lynn Baca, chair of Adams County’s Board of Commissioners, expressing enthusiasm for Boom’s investment in the community and the county’s role in advancing next-generation transportation technologies.
Earlier this year, Boom made headlines when its XB-1 jet became the first independently developed aircraft to break the sound barrier, marking a significant milestone in the revival of supersonic commercial travel. The company’s upcoming commercial jet, the Overture, is set to debut in 2029 with tickets priced between $4,000 and $5,000 for a 3½-hour flight from New York to London.
The partnership between Boom and Adams County signals a significant step forward in the aerospace industry, with American Airlines and United Airlines already committing to purchasing Overtures from the company. The Overture is expected to have a top speed of 1.7 times the speed of sound and carry between 65 and 80 passengers.
Boom’s lease with Adams County will see the company stationing engineers and technicians in the area to perfect the Overture’s engine, known as Symphony. The move follows the departure of Reaction Engines, a British aerospace company that previously leased the space for similar research and development efforts.
The collaboration between Boom and Adams County highlights Colorado’s position as a hub for aerospace innovation, with the state’s aerospace industry employing over 56,000 people across 2,260 companies. The proximity of the testing site to population centers allows Boom to access engineering talent while conducting high-decibel engine tests without disturbing nearby residents.
Overall, the partnership between Boom and Adams County represents a significant development in the aerospace industry, positioning Colorado as a key player in the future of supersonic travel.
