Here is a neat marketing hook: Fly from New York to London for midday meetings. Be home in time to tuck your kids into bed.
To make this possible, Boom Supersonic is building airplanes that will flit across the globe at 1,451 mph. For those of us who are physics-challenged, that is Mach 2.2 … or 2.6 times faster than every other commercial airliner.
It all might seem far-fetched. It’s not. Breakthroughs in aerospace are happening every day. Investors need to begin positioning now.
There is a good reason for the hectic pace of discovery. I call it the New Gilded Age. That is a throwback to a bygone era of invention. Then, entrepreneurs were inspired by electricity and industrialization. They changed the world and built massive fortunes.
Today, something even bigger is happening …
This is the age of the supercomputer and hyperconnectivity. Imagine what is possible when the brightest minds have access to unlimited computing power. Now imagine a continuous stream of data feeding artificial intelligence algorithms.
Already, chemists have used these tools to develop new materials. Biologists have edited genes to slow the aging process and fight deadly diseases. Mechanical engineers have pushed design to new heights.
Really cool new ideas are jumping off the drawing board.
That’s essentially the story of Boom Supersonic. The company says advances in aerodynamic design, material science and super cruise propulsion mean its Mach 2.2 jetliner is poised to become reality.
And there are buyers already waiting in line for it …
Last week, Japan Airlines announced pre-orders for 20 of the new aircraft. It also committed to invest in development, joining Virgin Group as a strategic investor.
Airlines have always been intrigued by speed. Concorde, a British-French supersonic jetliner, began shuttling the rich and famous between New York and London in 1976. However, the aircraft was plagued with mechanical issues. And its military twin turbojet engines were notoriously thirsty, not to mention noisy.
Boom’s concept borrows the familiar delta wing from Concorde. But engineers used computer modeling, data analytics and a new propulsion system to quiet the 55-seat aircraft. Three new General Electric (GE) turbojets will also sip fuel. The planes should be so efficient, the company claims airlines will be able to compete on price with current business class fares.
It’s a bold claim. However, the team has plenty of success conquering big problems in aerospace. Among other projects, the corporate website lists contributions to SpaceX Falcon 9, the F 135 Joint Strike Fighter and autopilot software on the Boeing 787.
The opportunity for investors is the ecosystem. A project of this scope requires a rethinking of air travel.
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