aerospace
Department of the Air Force & Catalyst Accelerator Ogden Select Eight Companies to Join the Digital Model Certification Accelerator Cohort
Last Updated on March 16, 2023 by Daily News Staff
In partnership with Department of the Air Force Digital Transformation Office, the Catalyst Accelerator Ogden launches its Spring 2023 cohort of eight innovative small businesses with technology solutions to accelerate and automate DAF certification processes.
OGDEN, Utah (Newswire.com) – The Catalyst Accelerator Ogden (CAO) is launching its second cohort in partnership with the Department of the Air Force (DAF) Digital Transformation Office (DTO). Eight small businesses from across the United States will come together to solve a stated DAF challenge statement focused on Digital Model Certification (DMC).
This Digital Model Certification cohort’s mascot was designed in partnership with Weber State University. Follow Catalyst Accelerator Ogden on LinkedIn to vote for and learn the mascot’s name!
The Catalyst Accelerator Ogden exists to empower nontraditional technology companies to accelerate their involvement in the national defense ecosystem by providing connections, mentorship, and business development in a collaborative setting for a lasting national impact. USAF certification processes (i.e. airworthiness, cyber security, nuclear surety) require timely input and assessment of underlying engineering to assist certification teams. With the rise of digital twins, model-based engineering, and Dev*Ops, certification of complex weapon systems has expanded beyond what humans can do in a timely fashion. Therefore, in partnership with the DAF, the Catalyst Accelerator Ogden sought disruptive technologies and capabilities to help accelerate and automate certification processes.
Each company will collaborate with subject matter experts, work with government and commercial Sherpas, and complete an intensive customer discovery process. The cohort culminates with Demo Day on May 24 in Ogden, where they will pitch their technology to Government and Industry partners.
Accelerator in Session: March 7 – May 25, 2023
Kickoff Event: March 9, 2023 (FREE! register here)
Demo Day: May 24, 2023 (FREE! save-the-date registration here)
The CAO team, with technical advisement from both Government and Industry experts, selected the following small businesses to participate in the upcoming cohort:
- Acuity Innovations (Colorado Springs, Colorado)
- GURU Technologies (Layton, Utah)
- InnoVet (Dover, Delaware)
- Intrinsic (Newcastle, Washington)
- OP Media (Draper, Utah)
- Prewitt Ridge (Los Angeles, California)
- RedShred (Baltimore, Maryland)
- Tensor Networks (Sunnyvale, California)
See attachment for additional company details.
Involvement Opportunities:
The CAO is enhanced by partnerships with Weber State University, sponsors, and industry mentors. The kickoff event and Demo Day are both sponsored by Field Aerospace. If you are interested in sponsorships or partnerships, contact Amanda McCrea.
About Catalyst Accelerator Ogden
The CAO is a collaborative program hosted by Catalyst Campus for Technology and Innovation (CCTI, a Colorado 501(c)3) in partnership with the DTO to provide a robust, mentor-driven curriculum for Accelerator companies. It is a defense and national security industry accelerator, headquartered at CCTI in Ogden, Utah. CCTI is a collaborative ecosystem where industry, small business, entrepreneurs, startups, government, academia, and investors intersect with Utah’s aerospace and defense industry to create community, spark innovation, and stimulate business growth.
Contact:
Amanda McCrea (Program Manager), Amanda.McCrea@CatalystCampus.org, LinkedIn
Source: Catalyst Accelerator Ogden
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aerospace
Boom Supersonic Update 2026: Overture Progress, XB-1 Milestones, and What’s Next
Boom Supersonic’s 2026 update: XB-1 test success, Overture production timeline, funding progress, and the challenges facing the return of commercial supersonic travel.
By STM Daily News Staff
The race to bring back commercial supersonic travel is accelerating once again, led by Boom Supersonic, a Colorado-based aerospace company aiming to succeed where Concorde left off. As of 2026, the company has achieved meaningful technical milestones—but still faces significant financial, regulatory, and industrial hurdles.
Here’s a comprehensive look at where Boom stands today, and what it means for the future of high-speed air travel.
XB-1 Demonstrator Completes Historic Test Program
Boom’s experimental aircraft, the XB-1, has successfully completed its flight test campaign, marking a critical step toward validating the company’s supersonic technology.
- Achieved multiple supersonic flights in 2025
- Demonstrated aerodynamic stability and performance
- Tested “boomless cruise” capabilities to reduce sonic disturbances
The XB-1 program served as a scaled demonstrator for the company’s flagship commercial jet, proving that modern materials, software, and engine integration can support efficient supersonic flight.
With testing complete, the aircraft is expected to be preserved as a prototype, representing a turning point in private-sector aerospace innovation.
Overture: Boom’s Commercial Supersonic Jet
The centerpiece of Boom’s vision is the Overture, a next-generation supersonic passenger aircraft designed to carry between 60 and 80 passengers at speeds approaching Mach 1.7.
Current projected timeline:
- Prototype rollout: Targeted for 2026
- First flight: Expected around 2027
- Commercial service entry: Late 2020s (estimated 2029–2030)
Unlike Concorde, which catered primarily to elite travelers, Boom aims to position Overture with business-class pricing, potentially expanding access to faster global travel.
The aircraft is also being designed with sustainability in mind, including compatibility with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
Funding and Financial Momentum
In recent developments, Boom Supersonic secured an additional $100 million in funding, reinforcing investor confidence in the company’s long-term vision.
However, building a supersonic passenger aircraft remains one of the most capital-intensive challenges in aviation. Continued fundraising and strategic partnerships will be essential as the company moves from prototype to production.
Boomless Cruise: A Potential Game-Changer
One of Boom’s most significant innovations is its focus on “boomless cruise,” a method of flying supersonically without producing an audible sonic boom on the ground.
If proven viable at scale, this technology could influence regulatory changes—particularly in the United States, where overland supersonic flight is currently restricted.
The ability to fly faster-than-sound over land would unlock major domestic routes, dramatically reducing travel times between cities like New York and Los Angeles.
Manufacturing Challenges and Delays
Despite technical progress, Boom’s manufacturing ambitions face uncertainty. A planned production facility in North Carolina has experienced delays, raising questions about when large-scale assembly will begin.
Scaling production from prototype to commercial aircraft remains one of the most difficult phases of any aerospace program, requiring supply chain coordination, workforce development, and regulatory alignment.
Industry Skepticism Remains
While Boom has secured interest from major airlines, skepticism persists within the aviation industry.
Key concerns include:
- Certification complexity and regulatory approval timelines
- Operational costs versus ticket pricing
- Long-term demand for supersonic travel
Even airline executives have expressed cautious optimism, with some suggesting the project’s success remains uncertain.
The Bigger Picture: A Defining Decade for Supersonic Travel
Boom Supersonic has moved beyond concept and into real-world testing, demonstrating that modern supersonic flight is technically achievable.
However, the next phase—bringing Overture to market—will determine whether supersonic passenger travel becomes a viable industry once again or remains an ambitious experiment.
If successful, Boom could redefine global travel times. If not, it will join a long list of bold aerospace ventures that struggled to overcome economic reality.
Sources and External Links
- Boom Supersonic – Year in Review
- XB-1 Aircraft Overview
- Overture Aircraft Specifications
- Funding Announcement
- Industry Perspective
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aerospace
NASA’s “Flying Swordfish” Takes Flight: The X-59 QueSST Begins Its Quiet Supersonic Journey
NASA’s X-59 QueSST “flying swordfish” made its first test flight from Palmdale, California, marking a breakthrough in quiet supersonic technology designed to reduce the sonic boom and reshape the future of air travel.
NASA’s experimental X-59 QueSST, also known as the “flying swordfish,” has officially made its first test flight, marking a major milestone in the future of quiet supersonic travel. Developed in partnership with Lockheed Martin, the sleek, needle-nosed aircraft lifted off from Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, on October 28, 2025, and safely landed at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center.
While the maiden flight was subsonic, reaching speeds of around 230 miles per hour at 12,000 feet, it successfully demonstrated the aircraft’s fundamental systems and stability. Future test flights will push the X-59 to supersonic speeds, where NASA will evaluate its ability to drastically reduce the loud “sonic boom” to a soft “sonic thump.” The ultimate goal of the Quesst program is to pave the way for regulations that could one day allow commercial supersonic flights over land, revolutionizing air travel as we know it.
(Sources: Live Science, NASA, Lockheed Martin)
The science section of our news blog STM Daily News provides readers with captivating and up-to-date information on the latest scientific discoveries, breakthroughs, and innovations across various fields. We offer engaging and accessible content, ensuring that readers with different levels of scientific knowledge can stay informed. Whether it’s exploring advancements in medicine, astronomy, technology, or environmental sciences, our science section strives to shed light on the intriguing world of scientific exploration and its profound impact on our daily lives. From thought-provoking articles to informative interviews with experts in the field, STM Daily News Science offers a harmonious blend of factual reporting, analysis, and exploration, making it a go-to source for science enthusiasts and curious minds alike. https://stmdailynews.com/category/science/
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Taking Off: Archer Aviation’s Bold Move Brings Flying Taxis Closer to LA28
Archer Aviation’s LA airport acquisition could make flying taxis a reality just in time for the 2028 Olympics.
Last Updated on November 9, 2025 by Daily News Staff
Image Credit: Archer Aviation
From Olympic Dreams to Take-Off Plans
Back in our feature “Flying Taxis and Olympic Dreams: Will LA28 Be the Jetsons Era in Real Life?” we explored whether Los Angeles could become the first city to showcase flying taxis on the global stage during the 2028 Summer Olympics.
Now, that futuristic vision has gained some serious thrust. Archer Aviation — one of the leading players in electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft — has announced a major move that could change how the city thinks about air mobility.
Archer Takes Control of Hawthorne Airport
In a landmark deal, Archer announced plans to acquire control of Hawthorne Airport — just three miles from LAX — for approximately $126 million in cash.
The 80-acre site, home to 190,000 square feet of hangars and terminal facilities, will become the company’s operational hub for its Los Angeles air-taxi network and a testbed for AI-driven aviation technology.
Alongside the purchase, Archer raised an additional $650 million in new equity funding, bringing its liquidity to more than $2 billion — a strong signal that the company is serious about turning concept into concrete.
What This Means for LA’s Mobility Future
This isn’t just a real estate move. It’s a strategic infrastructure play.
If Los Angeles is to handle Olympic crowds and long-term congestion, new vertical mobility hubs are essential. Hawthorne could serve as the first of several vertiports forming a network across the metro area.
It also puts Archer in a prime position to work alongside city planners and mobility partners preparing for the LA28 Games — potentially transforming how visitors move between venues, airports, and downtown.
Caution: Not Quite “Jetsons” Yet
While this progress looks promising, it’s not smooth skies ahead just yet.
FAA certification remains the biggest hurdle; only about 15% of compliance documentation has been approved. Production and scaling still pose risks — building and maintaining a fleet of electric aircraft at commercial levels isn’t cheap. Public acceptance will matter too. Even the quietest aircraft need to earn the city’s trust for noise, cost, and safety.
Still, compared to even a year ago, the vision of air taxis over Los Angeles feels far less like science fiction.
A Step Toward the Olympic Future
Archer’s move aligns perfectly with the question we raised earlier:
Can Los Angeles turn the 2028 Olympics into a showcase for sustainable, futuristic transportation?
By securing its own hub near LAX and backing it with fresh capital, Archer seems determined to make that answer a yes. Whether passengers will be hailing flying taxis in time for LA28 remains uncertain, but the groundwork — both financial and physical — is clearly being laid.
The skies over LA might just get busier — and cleaner — in the years to come.
Related Reading
- Flying Taxis and Olympic Dreams: Will LA28 Be the Jetsons Era in Real Life?
- Archer To Acquire Los Angeles Airport As Strategic Air Taxi Network
- HubTokyo Selects Archer’s Midnight Aircraft for First eVTOL Implementation Program
Dive into “The Knowledge,” where curiosity meets clarity. This playlist, in collaboration with STMDailyNews.com, is designed for viewers who value historical accuracy and insightful learning. Our short videos, ranging from 30 seconds to a minute and a half, make complex subjects easy to grasp in no time. Covering everything from historical events to contemporary processes and entertainment, “The Knowledge” bridges the past with the present. In a world where information is abundant yet often misused, our series aims to guide you through the noise, preserving vital knowledge and truths that shape our lives today. Perfect for curious minds eager to discover the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of everything around us. Subscribe and join in as we explore the facts that matter. https://stmdailynews.com/the-knowledge/
