MOJAVE, Calif. - Boom Supersonic in Denver announced that its XB-1 demonstrator aircraft broke the sound barrier for the first time during a test flight at Mojave Air & Space Port, marking a milestone in the development of commercial supersonic travel.
Flown by Boom Chief Test Pilot Tristan "Geppetto" Brandenburg, XB-1 reached an altitude of 35,290 feet before accelerating to Mach 1.122 (750 mph). Boom says that this flight marked the first time a privately developed civil supersonic jet has achieved supersonic speeds, a capability historically limited to government and military programs.
"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."
Related: Boom Supersonic announces first flight of its XB-1 aircraft
The XB-1 incorporates technologies that will be used in Boom’s planned Overture airliner, including carbon fiber composites, digitally optimized aerodynamics, and an augmented reality vision system for improved runway visibility.
The aircraft completed 11 piloted test flights leading up to its supersonic milestone, gradually expanding its speed envelope under controlled conditions. Brandenburg credited the methodical approach to testing for the program’s success.
"It has been a privilege and a highlight of my career to be a part of the team that achieved this milestone—every single member of this team was critical to our success," Brandenburg said. "Our discipline and methodical approach to this flight test program created the safety culture that made a safe and successful first supersonic flight possible. With the lessons learned from XB-1, we can continue to build the future of supersonic travel."
Boom is using XB-1 to validate technologies for Overture, a planned supersonic airliner designed to carry 64 to 80 passengers at Mach 1.7. The company has received 130 orders and pre-orders for Overture from American Airlines, United Airlines, and Japan Airlines.
