65-acre location will house the final assembly line, testing facility, and customer delivery center.
Boom Supersonic, the company building a modern supersonic airliner, plans to build the Overture Superfactory that will serve as its primary manufacturing and production site in Greensboro, North Carolina. The new facility, which will be located at Piedmont Triad International Airport (PTI), builds upon the state’s storied legacy of aerospace innovation, starting with the Wright Brothers’ first successful flight in Kitty Hawk, Honda Aircraft Company’s world headquarters and HondaJet manufacturing operation in Greensboro, and Pratt & Whitney’s advanced casting foundry and airfoil production facility in Asheville.
“It is both poetic and logical that Boom Supersonic would choose the state that’s first in flight for its first manufacturing plant,” said North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper. “Like the success of the Wright Brothers at Kitty Hawk, this innovative company will succeed by transforming passenger air travel with speed and sustainable energy.”
The project will bring an investment of more than $500 million through 2030 at the site.
The Overture Superfactory site was chosen with air and ground space ready for development in mind along with its proximity to the coast, as well as North Carolina’s plentiful and skilled workforce and world-class infrastructure. The PTI location includes 65 acres for the company’s manufacturing needs. In addition to the size requirements, the PTI site offers easy connectivity to Interstates 85 and 40, and a short drive to more than 400 aerospace suppliers spread across the state.
“Selecting the site for Overture manufacturing is a significant step forward in bringing sustainable supersonic air travel to passengers and airlines,” said Blake Scholl, founder and CEO of Boom Supersonic. “With some of the country’s best and brightest aviation talent, key suppliers, and the state of North Carolina’s continued support, Boom is confident that Greensboro will emerge as the world’s supersonic manufacturing hub.”
Boom plans to break ground on its facility later this year and begin production in 2024. The Overture Superfactory is forecast to create more than 1,750 new jobs by 2030, expanding to a total of more than 2,400 jobs by 2032. The average salary at the facility is projected to be $68,792. North Carolina economists estimate that the Overture Superfactory will grow the state’s economy by at least $32.3 billion throughout 20 years.
Founded on the principles of speed, safety, and sustainability, Boom is reimagining supersonic flight thanks to advancements in aerodynamics, materials, and propulsion. Overture will fly at subsonic speeds over land and near coasts to avoid exposing people on the ground to sonic booms. Over the ocean, Overture will cruise at supersonic speeds, cutting many flight times in half while offering a tranquil travel experience for passengers. Boom’s Overture aircraft will meet the same regulatory noise levels currently required of subsonic aircraft during take-off and landing. Overture is designed to run on 100% sustainable aviation fuels, and it is being developed with responsible manufacturing processes and aircraft end-of-life recycling in mind. Additionally, the Greensboro assembly line will be LEED-certified.
Overture’s order book, including purchases and options, stands at 70 aircraft, and Boom is working with the United States Air Force for government applications of Overture. The Boom XB-1 demonstrator aircraft rolled out in 2020, and its carbon neutral flight test program is underway. The company is backed by world-class investors, including Bessemer Venture Partners, Prime Movers Lab, Emerson Collective and American Express Ventures.
Partnering with the North Carolina Department of Commerce and the Economic Development Partnership of N.C. on this project were the North Carolina General Assembly, the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce, the Piedmont Triad Airport Authority, among other state and local partners.
Order, valued at $3.9 billion at list prices, lets Azorra acquire E190-E2 or E195-E2 aircraft.
Florida-based aircraft leasing company Azorra has reached an agreement with Embraer to acquire 20 new E2 family aircraft, plus a further 30 purchase rights. The flexible deal enables Azorra to acquire E190-E2 or E195-E2 aircraft. At list prices, the order is valued at $3.9 billion. Deliveries will begin in 2023, adding a further 20 Embraer aircraft to the 21 already in Azorra's existing and committed portfolio. Azorra specializes in leasing executive, regional, crossover, and small narrowbody aircraft. The new E2s are in response to the company’s requirement for a new generation of environmentally sustainable airplanes with low operating costs, low emissions, and low fuel burn.
"Our team has a long and productive history with Embraer. At Jetscape, we were the first independent lessor to commit to Embraer's E-Jet program in December 2007, which saw E-Jets establish a global customer base of more than 80 operators. Azorra's first new aircraft was a Phenom 300 acquired from Embraer in December 2016. We are excited about this new chapter in our longstanding partnership with Embraer," said John Evans, Azorra's CEO. "This commitment underscores our belief in the E2; a modern aircraft family with superior economics and environmental performance, providing Azorra with a compelling opportunity to build a position of leadership in the markets we serve."
Arjan Meijer, CEO of Embraer Commercial Aviation, said, "We thank Azorra again for their selection of the E2, after recently completing a sale leaseback transaction with Porter Airlines, the first E-Jet E2 operator in North America, for five new E195-E2 aircraft. Azorra offers an exciting and innovative approach to the market, with a fierce focus on customer needs that align solidly with Embraer's deserved reputation for outstanding customer care. With this order for 20 E2 aircraft, Azorra have further endorsed the exceptional value that the next-generation E2 family brings to the market as the most quiet and fuel-efficient aircraft in the segment."
Will support hypersonic flight testing for U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL).
Stratolaunch LLC has a research contract with the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL).
Under partnership with Booz Allen Hamilton, Stratolaunch is on contract with AFRL to examine and assess the feasibility of hypersonic flight tests of a wide range of Air Force experiments and payloads on a frequent and routine basis.
Stratolaunch supports national security objectives for hypersonic offensive and defensive weapons development through the design, manufacture, and operation of a fleet of reusable hypersonic aerospace vehicles air-launched from its globally deployable carrier aircraft, Roc. Roc is the world's largest aircraft by wingspan, standing at 385ft. It will be used to air-launch the Stratolaunch's Talon hypersonic test vehicles.
The company plans to augment existing Department of Defense (DOD) flight test resources through affordable, commercially contracted, rapid-turnaround hypersonic flight testing for the DOD and its prime contractor partners.
"Our goal is to provide affordable and routine access to the hypersonic flight environment," said Dr. Daniel Millman, chief technology officer for Stratolaunch. "We look forward to sharing lessons learned from this collaboration with AFRL, yielding powerful and practical research results benefiting the nation."
Stratolaunch completed its third Roc carrier aircraft test flight on Jan. 16, 2022, lasting 4 hours, 23 minutes over the Mojave Desert. It reached an altitude of 23,500ft (7162.8m) at an indicated air speed of 180kts. This flight further prepared the carrier aircraft to support launches of its upcoming hypersonic testbed vehicle, Talon-A. Launched from the Roc carrier aircraft, Talon-A vehicles are rocket-powered, autonomous, reusable testbeds carrying customizable payloads at speeds above Mach 5. This capability enables routine access to the hypersonic flight environment, which is critical for scientific research, technological development, and component demonstration.
Talon-A test vehicle TA-1 completed its initial power-on testing in late December 2021, keeping the company on track to begin hypersonic flight testing in 2022 and to deliver services to government and commercial customers in 2023.
In December 2021, Stratolaunch officials announced a feasibility study contract with the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) to examine and assess the applicability of a re-usable hypersonic testbed system for Missile Defense Systems (MDS) applications.
Methods represents select lathe manufacturer Weiler’s products in North America.
Methods Machine Tools Inc., a supplier of high-quality machine tools and automation systems in North America, began representing select Weiler products in North America effective Jan. 1, 2022.
Weiler, a German manufacturer of precision flat-bed lathes, specializes in high-mix, low-volume jobs, and long workpieces. Methods represents the company’s V-Series and E-Series lathes.
Weiler lathes enable everyone from entry-level operators to seasoned machinists to create and alter complex cutting programs on-the-fly through conversational programming, effortless controls, and ability to run as either manual or CNC machines.
“We’ve long known about the strong history and strength of the Weiler brand. So, in closing our purchase of Koch Machine Tool, we didn’t waste any time pursuing a formal partnership with Weiler,” said Methods President and CEO Mark Wright. “When we visited Weiler’s factory in Emskirchen, Germany, we got a first-hand look at their expert level of craftsmanship and attention to detail the company developed through 80 years of manufacturing. Weiler builds high-quality machines, but like our other partnerships, this is more than just expanding our products and services. We share the same values and long-term vision, so joining forces is a perfect fit.”
Weiler machines use cycle-control technology, allowing users to create specific machining processes that can be stored and arranged in any order for high-mix/low-volume jobs. Intuitive software and versatile controls enable quick part-to-part changeovers and minimize setup time.
Critical components such as the machine bed, slide, and headstock are made from cast iron to increase vibration dampening capabilities and ensure lifelong accuracy. Users can remove large amounts of hard-to-cut materials without sacrificing speed or accuracy due to the machine's anti-friction bearings and torsion-resistant bed.
“Methods’ insightful, diligent network of support, service, and application teams are a perfect fit for Weiler machines,” said Weiler’s Head of Sales Walter Nirschl. “This mutually-beneficial agreement is going to allow more manual machinists to utilize CNC technology and empower CNC experts to take on larger, more complex jobs. Methods is going to help shops understand how a Weiler could fit into their machining ecosystem.”
The E-Series line of lathes offer powerful main drives, heavy-duty beds, and expansive spindle bores. The E-series has up to 87hp and can handle a range of maximum workpiece diameters, ranging from 13.0" to 78.7". The machines have spindle bores up to 17.7" in diameter.
The V-Series comprise two 4-bed way precision lathes with vast work envelopes designed for long workpieces. The machines enable operators to turn through the steady rests, which reduces manual intervention. Weiler designed the V-Series to be more efficient and provide the optimal machining process. The V90 can handle a maximum workpiece diameter of 37.0", while the V110 can machine workpieces up to 45.7". Both series of machines can handle workpieces up to 590".
Methods appointed John LeFlore as the product manager for Weiler machines. LeFlore has more than 30 years of machining experience, including the last 17 years representing Weiler products in Texas and Louisiana as an application engineer and sales representative at Koch Machine Tool.
“The partnership between Weiler and Methods is going to create an amazing opportunity for machine shops across North America,” LeFlore said. “The rigidity, power and the ability to program any part detail quickly and efficiently with the conversational control makes me excited to show more shops how a Weiler can benefit and enhance their machining capacity.”
U.S. Air Force’s Adaptive Engine Transition Program (AETP) Phase 2 tests to begin Q1 2022.
GE has concluded phase 1 testing on its second XA100 adaptive cycle engine as part of the U.S. Air Force’s Adaptive Engine Transition Program (AETP). Phase 1 testing took place at GE’s Evendale, Ohio, altitude test facility and enabled GE to continue gathering high-quality performance data validating the engine’s transformational propulsion capability. Phase 2 tests will begin at the U.S. Air Force’s advanced testing facilities at Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC) in Q1 2022.
“Phase 1 testing allowed us to further characterize the operation of the engine and puts us in a great position to begin Phase 2 testing at AEDC,” said David Tweedie, GE Edison Works’ general manager for Advanced Combat Engines. “We continue to burn down risk with full-scale engine testing, which is why the XA100 is the lowest risk, most capable, and fastest approach to keep the F-35 a preeminent fighter platform for the long term.”
GE’s XA100 became the world’s first ever flight-weight, three-stream adaptive cycle engine in December 2020 before initiating tests on its second engine in August 2021. GE’s engine is uniquely designed to fit both the F-35A and F-35C without any structural modifications to either airframe, enabling better aircraft range, acceleration, and cooling power to accommodate next-generation mission systems.
The XA100-GE-100 engine combines three key innovations to deliver a generational change in combat propulsion performance:
These revolutionary innovations increase thrust 10%, improve fuel efficiency by 25%, and provide significantly more aircraft heat dissipation capacity, all within the same physical envelope as current propulsion systems. The XA100’s improved fuel efficiency provides significant reduction in carbon emissions. The engine will also operate on any U.S. Air Force-approved biofuels.
“Between the step-change fuel efficiency improvement and enhanced durability of our advanced materials, this engine provides the maximum opportunity to increase readiness and reduce operational and lifecycle costs,” Tweedie added. “No upgrade of a legacy propulsion system can simultaneously provide the revolutionary improvements in fuel efficiency, thrust, power and thermal management, and durability as the XA100 engine.”
The XA100 is a product of GE Edison Works, a business unit dedicated to the research, development, and production of advanced military solutions. This business unit has full responsibility for strategy, innovation, and execution of advanced programs.