Boom Supersonic achieved a major milestone on its path to reviving supersonic passenger travel with the first flight of its XB-1 demonstrator aircraft Mar. 22nd. The flight took place at the Mojave Air & Space Port in California, marking a significant achievement for the independent company.
The XB-1, entirely built from carbon fiber composites, boasts a sleek design optimized for supersonic speeds through computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. Key features include an augmented reality (AR) vision system with nose-mounted cameras for enhanced runway visibility and improved aerodynamic efficiency by eliminating the need for a movable nose cone. Supersonic intakes efficiently convert supersonic airflow into subsonic speeds for the conventional jet engines, enabling operation throughout the flight envelope.
“Today, XB-1 took flight in the same hallowed airspace where the Bell X-1 first broke the sound barrier in 1947,” said Blake Scholl, Founder and CEO of Boom Supersonic. This flight “marks the most significant milestone yet on our path to bring supersonic travel to passengers worldwide.”
The success of the XB-1 program paves the way for Overture, Boom’s next-generation supersonic airliner designed to carry 64-80 passengers at Mach 1.7, twice the speed of current commercial jets. Overture prioritizes sustainability and is targeted to operate on 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
Boom Supersonic boasts a growing order book for Overture, including 130 orders and pre-orders from major airlines like American Airlines, United Airlines, and Japan Airlines. This first flight signifies a critical step towards supersonic passenger travel becoming a reality once again.
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