Image of XB-1 demonstrator aircraft. Boom Supersonic
Boom Supersonic is taking significant steps toward bringing commercial supersonic travel back to the skies. The company’s XB-1 demonstrator aircraft recently completed its eighth flight, setting a new altitude record and matching its top speed.
This milestone is part of Boom’s ongoing effort to reintroduce supersonic flights, a concept that faded after the Concorde’s final flight in 2003 due to high costs and noise concerns.
A new record for altitude and speed
The XB-1’s eighth flight took place on November 16. During this flight, the aircraft reached an impressive altitude of 25,040 feet (7,632 meters), its highest yet. The flight lasted 54 minutes, during which the aircraft reached a top speed of Mach 0.82, tying its previous speed record.
Boom Supersonic’s plans include a few more subsonic flights before the aircraft attempts to break the sound barrier. The company aims to reach Mach 1, the speed of sound, which is around 767 miles per hour (1,234 km/h).
Earlier on November 5, XB-1 completed its seventh subsonic test flight. The flight tested flutter envelope expansion and cockpit pressure, reaching a new top speed of Mach 0.82 (499 knots). The team also tested the flutter excitation system (FES) at speeds up to Mach 0.8 to ensure stable performance at transonic speeds.
Supersonic speeds produce a sonic boom—a loud, thunderous noise caused by breaking the sound barrier. While supersonic flights were once standard, the sonic booms created by such speeds led the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to ban civil supersonic flights over land in 1973.
Competing with NASA’s supersonic efforts
Boom Supersonic’s work on the XB-1 is closely aligned with NASA’s efforts to reduce the impact of sonic booms.
NASA is developing the X-59 supersonic aircraft, which is designed to create a much quieter sonic boom, referred to as a “sonic thump.” The X-59’s unique shape—a long, sleek design with a narrow wingspan—helps minimize noise.
NASA’s goal is for the X-59’s sonic boom to sound like the closing of a car door, a far less disruptive noise compared to the traditional sonic boom. Once the X-59 is tested in flight, NASA will fly it over several U.S. cities to measure how the sonic thump affects people on the ground.
If the test results show that the sonic thump does not disturb daily life, the FAA may reconsider its rules about supersonic travel over land. However, any regulatory changes are unlikely before 2027.
The road ahead for Boom Supersonic
Boom Supersonic aims to bring its Overture jet into commercial service, offering passengers supersonic flights.
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While the XB-1 demonstrator will be capable of exceeding Mach 1, Boom plans to fly the Overture jet at Mach 0.94 over land—about 20% faster than conventional subsonic flights. By keeping the aircraft below the speed of sound, Boom hopes to avoid the disruptive noise caused by sonic booms.
As Boom continues its demonstration flights, the company is moving closer to its goal of making supersonic commercial travel a reality. The success of the XB-1’s recent flight brings the dream of faster, more efficient air travel one step closer to becoming a part of aviation’s future.
