Boom Supersonic XB-1 Breaks Sound Barrier, A New Dawn in Supersonic Travel

Boom Supersonic's XB-1 demonstrator aircraft achieved a significant milestone today by successfully breaking the sound barrier, reaching speeds of Mach 1.1 (approximately 770 mph) during a test flight over the Mojave Desert in California. This accomplishment marks the first time an independently developed civil jet has surpassed the speed of sound, signalling a potential revival of commercial supersonic travel two decades after the Concorde's retirement.

The test flight was piloted by Chief Test Pilot Tristan "Geppetto" Brandenburg and took place in the Bell X-1 Supersonic Corridor near Edwards Air Force Base, the same airspace where Chuck Yeager first exceeded the speed of sound in 1947.

The XB-1 maintained supersonic speeds for approximately four minutes during the 30 to 45-minute flight.

Boom Supersonic, founded in 2014, aims to develop the Overture, a commercial supersonic passenger jet designed to reach speeds of Mach 1.7. The Overture is expected to carry 64 to 80 passengers and reduce flight times significantly—for instance, cutting the journey from London to New York to about 3.5 hours. The company plans to begin passenger flights by 2029.

The XB-1's successful demonstration paves the way for the Overture, which will be the first large commercial aircraft to operate with net-zero carbon emissions. Boom Supersonic plans to achieve this through the use of sustainable aviation fuel and advanced technologies.

The company has already secured orders from major airlines, including American Airlines, United Airlines, and Japan Airlines, highlighting the anticipated revival of supersonic travel.

This achievement not only demonstrates the feasibility of privately developed supersonic aircraft but also signifies a promising future for faster-than-sound travel, potentially transforming the landscape of commercial aviation.

All images in article: BOOM Supersonic