XB-1 achieves first independent supersonic flight

Boom Supersonic's demonstrator aircraft broke the sound barrier, completing a significant testing phase for supersonic commercial flight.

Boom Supersonic has successfully flown its XB-1 demonstrator aircraft at supersonic speeds from the Mojave Air & Space Port in California; the first time an independently developed civilian jet has achieved supersonic flight since Concorde. Chief Boom Test Pilot Tristan “Geppetto” Brandenburg flew the aircraft to 35,290 feet before accelerating to Mach 1.122 (750 mph) in the supersonic corridor.

The XB-1 test campaign has evaluated systems and aerodynamics across a series of 11 human-piloted flights, progressing through subsonic, transonic, and supersonic speeds. Technologies validated through the program, including an augmented reality vision system, carbon fibre composites and digitally optimised aerodynamics, will be incorporated into Boom’s Overture airliner, designed to carry 64-80 passengers at Mach 1.7.

“XB-1’s supersonic flight demonstrates that the technology for passenger supersonic flight has arrived,” said Boom Supersonic founder and CEO Blake Scholl. “A small band of talented and dedicated engineers has accomplished what previously took governments and billions of dollars. Next, we are scaling up the technology on XB-1 for the Overture supersonic airliner. Our ultimate goal is to bring the benefits of supersonic flight to everyone.”

Overture has secured 130 orders and pre-orders from American Airlines, United Airlines and Japan Airlines. Boom has also completed construction on the Overture Superfactory in Greensboro, North Carolina, which is set to scale production to 66 aircraft per year. The airliner is designed to run on up to 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).