Boom Supersonic has announced the successful first supersonic flight of the company's XB-1 demonstrator aircraft at Mojave Air & Space Port in California, marking a significant milestone in the development of commercial supersonic air travel. This flight demonstrates the viability of passenger supersonic flight technology and is the first time an independently developed jet has broken the sound barrier. The XB-1, flown by Boom Chief Test Pilot Tristan Brandenburg, reached an altitude of 35,290 feet and achieved Mach 1.122 (750 mph), surpassing the speed of sound.
"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."
The XB-1 aircraft incorporates several key design features that will be used in the Overture, such as carbon fibre composites, a digital stability augmentation system, and an augmented reality vision system for improved landing visibility. The augmented reality system is particularly important for both aircraft, as it enables enhanced runway visibility, which is vital due to the long nose and high angle of attack during takeoff and landing. This system eliminates the need for a moveable nose, unlike Concorde's design.
Further, the XB-1 and Overture share a digitally optimised aerodynamic design, developed using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations to achieve a balance of stability, safety during takeoff and landing, and efficiency at supersonic speeds. This technology has also been extensively applied to the Overture programme. The aircraft’s structure is made from carbon fibre composites, contributing to a lightweight yet robust build that enhances the aircraft's performance and efficiency.
Additionally, the XB-1 features specialized supersonic engine intakes that slow supersonic air to subsonic speeds, converting kinetic energy into pressure energy. This allows conventional jet engines to power the aircraft from takeoff through supersonic flight. The development of these intakes will inform the design of Overture's purpose-built turbofan engine, Symphony.
Following its inaugural flight in March 2024, the XB-1 underwent 11 test flights, progressively testing its systems and aerodynamics, and expanding its flight envelope to include subsonic, transonic, and supersonic speeds. Brandenburg highlighted the importance of the disciplined, methodical approach taken during the flight tests, which prioritised safety while achieving the historic supersonic flight. The lessons learned from the XB-1 will contribute to future advancements in supersonic travel.
The XB-1’s successful test programme has validated several key technologies that will be applied to Overture, setting the stage for the return of commercial supersonic flights. This test flight occurred in the same airspace where Chuck Yeager first broke the sound barrier in 1947 and marked the first civil supersonic flight by a human-piloted aircraft since Concorde's retirement more than 20 years ago. The Overture is capable of carrying 64-80 passengers at Mach 1.7, nearly double the speed of current subsonic airliners, on over 600 global routes.
Boom Supersonic has secured 130 orders and pre-orders for Overture from airlines including American Airlines, United Airlines, and Japan Airlines. In 2024, the company completed the construction of its Overture Super Factory in Greensboro, North Carolina, which will have the capacity to produce 66 Overture aircraft annually. The Overture is designed with speed, safety, and sustainability in mind and will be capable of running on up to 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
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