The XB-1 supersonic jet from Boom successfully completed its fifth test flight from Mojave Air and Space Port on October 7, setting several new records during the flight.
XB-1 is a 1/3 scale model that Boom Supersonic uses as a foundation for developing the Overture aircraft, aiming to revive commercial supersonic passenger flights, according to New Atlas.
XB-1 during its fifth test flight. (Photo: Boom).
In March of this year, the world’s first privately-built supersonic jet by Boom Supersonic took its maiden flight with pilot Bill “Doc” Shoemaker. During the fifth test flight, test pilot Tristan “Geppetto” Brandenburg took the XB-1 to an altitude of 5,425 meters at a speed of 791 km/h (Mach 0.69) in a flight lasting 50 minutes, marking the highest altitude and fastest speed the aircraft has achieved to date.
Boom Supersonic also tested the Flight Excitation System (FES), which intentionally injects vibrations into the aircraft’s frame to help engineers detect potential structural issues, especially when flying at high speeds. This prevents structural problems from arising during the flight.
Boom Supersonic is gradually increasing the altitude and speed of the XB-1 rather than reaching its targets on the first attempt. The company plans to conduct five more flights before the aircraft is ready to break the sound barrier. XB-1 serves as a testbed for the Boom Overture, a commercial supersonic passenger aircraft designed to carry 64 to 80 passengers at a speed of Mach 1.7 (2,200 km/h) with a range of 7,869 kilometers.
Although Overture primarily operates over the ocean, the aircraft is designed to minimize the sonic boom and meet the latest environmental standards. The jet’s turbine engine, called Symphony, is designed by Boom and can operate at both low and high speeds, running on 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
Over 20 years ago, the Concorde made its final flight. The Concorde started its supersonic operations in 1969 at a speed of Mach 2 (approximately 2,180 km/h). While it could transport passengers from New York to London in under three hours, the aircraft faced two major issues. First, the Concorde was extremely fuel-inefficient, consuming 25,629 liters per hour at that speed. Additionally, supersonic flights over populated areas were restricted. As a result, the Concorde, an icon in aviation history, ceased operations on October 24, 2003. Boom Supersonic aims to revive supersonic travel with the Overture.
At lower speeds, Overture can operate on land without producing a sonic boom and can land on the same runways used by commercial aircraft like the Boeing 737 or Airbus A380, avoiding the need for a 3,048-meter runway like the Concorde. Boom Supersonic plans to begin production of the Overture in 2025, conduct test flights in 2027, and commercialize it by 2029, assuming everything goes according to plan.
