Boom Supersonic, an American aerospace startup, achieved a significant breakthrough on Tuesday when its XB-1 demonstrator jet broke the sound barrier. This marks a historic moment as the first U.S.-made civil supersonic jet to reach such speeds. The test flight, conducted from the Mojave Air & Space Port in California, was a crucial step in Boom’s mission to bring back commercial supersonic travel.
XB-1’s Supersonic Test Flight
The XB-1 was piloted by Boom Supersonic’s chief test pilot, Tristan “Geppetto” Brandenburg. The aircraft ascended to an altitude of 35,290 feet and accelerated to Mach 1.122, equivalent to approximately 750 mph. This means it traveled 0.122 times faster than the speed of sound.
The term “Mach” refers to the speed of an object relative to the speed of sound. Mach 1 represents the speed at which sound travels in a given medium. By reaching Mach 1.122, XB-1 officially entered the realm of supersonic flight, proving that privately developed supersonic technology is no longer a distant dream.
Why This Flight Is Historic
Unlike previous supersonic aircraft, which were primarily developed by governments and military organizations, the XB-1 stands out as a privately funded and developed aircraft. This makes it the first independently created aircraft to break the sound barrier over the continental United States. Impressively, the jet achieved this feat not just once, but three times during its test flight.
Boom Supersonic founder and CEO Blake Scholl highlighted the significance of this achievement, stating, “XB-1’s supersonic flight demonstrates that the technology for passenger supersonic flight has arrived. A small band of talented and dedicated engineers has accomplished what previously took governments and billions of dollars.”
A Step Towards Commercial Supersonic Travel
The XB-1 is not just an experimental jet—it serves as a test platform for Boom’s larger vision: the Overture supersonic airliner. This commercial aircraft is being developed to make supersonic travel accessible to passengers worldwide.
According to Scholl, “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 Overture airliner is designed to carry between 64 and 80 passengers at Mach 1.7, nearly twice the speed of today’s subsonic aircraft. This means that a transatlantic flight, which typically takes around seven hours, could be completed in just three and a half hours.
Boom’s Future Plans: The Overture Superfactory
Boom Supersonic has already begun preparing for commercial production. In 2023, the company completed the construction of its Overture Superfactory in Greensboro, North Carolina. The facility is expected to manufacture up to 66 Overture aircraft per year.
The demand for supersonic travel is already evident. Boom has secured 130 orders and pre-orders from major airlines, including American Airlines, United Airlines, and Japan Airlines. This strong interest indicates that the aviation industry is ready for a new era of high-speed travel.
A Look Back: The First Breakthrough in Supersonic Flight
The concept of breaking the sound barrier is not new. The first person to accomplish this feat was Capt. Chuck Yeager, who flew the Bell X-1 rocket-powered aircraft beyond Mach 1 on October 14, 1947. However, commercial supersonic travel has been largely absent since the retirement of the Concorde in 2003.
Boom Supersonic aims to change that by making supersonic travel a reality again—this time with modern technology, improved efficiency, and lower costs.
The successful test flight of the XB-1 demonstrator jet represents a major milestone in aviation history. By proving that privately funded supersonic technology is feasible, Boom Supersonic is bringing the dream of high-speed commercial travel closer to reality. With plans to launch the Overture airliner in the coming years, we may soon see a future where long-haul flights are significantly shorter, revolutionizing air travel as we know it.
