MOJAVE, Calif. - Boom Technology's XB-1 supersonic aircraft reached a new top speed in its latest test flight, edging closer to breaking the sound barrier. In a significant milestone, the XB-1 surpassed Mach 0.81, up from Mach 0.67 on its previous flight. During the test at 23,015 feet above Mojave, California, the aircraft reached 499 knots true airspeed, marking its seventh test flight since March, reports The Jerusalem Post. Continue reading original article.
The Military & Aerospace Electronics take:
8 November 2024 - On 5 November 2024, XB-1 completed its seventh subsonic test flight, focusing on flutter envelope expansion and cockpit pressure testing to ensure safe handling at higher speeds and altitudes. This flight set a new top speed for XB-1 at Mach 0.82 (499 knots) and reached an altitude of 23,015 feet, where the team performed a final pressurization test for cockpit safety. Tests included flutter excitation at speeds of Mach 0.7, 0.75, and 0.8 to confirm stable handling near transonic speeds. The pressurization test prepares XB-1 to safely reach 30,000 feet, the altitude required for its upcoming supersonic flights. XB-1 continues its progress, aiming to break the sound barrier at Mach 1.
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Jamie Whitney, Senior Editor
Military + Aerospace Electronics
