Boom Supersonic has reported that the XB-1 Demonstrator Aircraft has completed its flight

Today, at the Mojave Air & Space Port in Mojave, California, Boom Supersonic announced the successful flight of the world’s first independently developed supersonic jet, XB-1. The firm is building the fastest airliner in the world called Overture. Similar to Overture, XB-1 uses cutting-edge technologies such as carbon fiber composites, sophisticated avionics, digitally tuned aerodynamics, and an advanced supersonic propulsion system to enable effective supersonic flight.

Blake Scholl, the founder, and CEO of Boom Supersonic said, “Today, XB-1 took flight in the same hallowed airspace where the Bell X-1 first broke the sound barrier in 1947. I’ve been looking forward to this flight since founding Boom in 2014, and it marks the most significant milestone yet on our path to bring supersonic travel to passengers worldwide.”

Boom Chief Test Pilot Bill “Doc” Shoemaker piloted the XB-1, while Test Pilot Tristan “Geppetto” Brandenburg flew the T-38 chase plane that tracked the flight. The XB-1 was launched from the Mojave Air & Space Port and flew in the same area as numerous other historic maiden flights, such as the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, the Bell X-1, and the North American X-15. All test objectives were successfully fulfilled by XB-1. It reached a height of 7,120 feet and a top speed of 238 knots (273 mph) safely and successfully.

The XB-1’s inaugural flight marks the return of a civil supersonic aircraft to the skies after twenty years since Concorde’s retirement. This event has opened the doors to the resurrection of supersonic travel in general. Overture, which is designed and developed based on the XB-1 program, prioritizes safety in engineering and manufacturing. The XB-1 program has validated important developments and technologies, including:

• The XB-1 aircraft boasts several advanced technologies that make it stand out. One of these is the augmented reality vision system, which utilizes two nose-mounted cameras to provide exceptional runway visibility. The cameras are enhanced with attitude and flight path signals, resulting in a high-resolution pilot display. This technology improves aerodynamic efficiency without adding unnecessary weight and complexity to the aircraft.
• To achieve optimized aerodynamics, engineers used computational fluid dynamics models to investigate thousands of concepts during the XB-1’s design phase. They tailored the aircraft’s design to combine efficiency at supersonic speeds with safe and steady operation during takeoff and landing.
• The XB-1’s robust and lightweight construction is due to its nearly all-carbon fiber composite materials. These materials allow for a complex aerodynamic design, which further enhances the aircraft’s efficiency.
• The XB-1’s engine intakes utilize supersonic deceleration technology, which converts kinetic energy into pressure energy. This technology decelerates supersonic air to subsonic speeds, enabling conventional jet engines to operate safely and efficiently.

Overture is a supersonic aircraft that is currently in development and moving closer to production. It has received 130 orders and pre-orders from major airlines such as American Airlines, United Airlines, and Japan Airlines. The XB-1 demonstrator recently completed its first successful flight, which is a significant milestone. Overture is designed to carry 64 to 80 passengers at Mach 1.7, which is twice as fast as current subsonic aircraft. The aircraft is built to operate on up to 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and is optimized for speed, safety, and sustainability.