“Son of Concorde” Plane Sets New Record and Approaches Commercial Flights (Instagram @boomsupersonic)
The “Son of Concorde“, developed by Boom Technology, is getting closer to making the dream of cutting the flight time between London and New York to just 3.5 hours a reality.
The XB-1 jet, the company’s prototype, was designed to bring back supersonic travel in a more efficient and accessible way, aiming to halve flight time from the traditional eight hours to just 3.5 hours.
After starting its tests in March 2024, the XB-1 reached a new milestone, achieving a record speed of Mach 0.87 and reaching 27,716 feet of altitude during its ninth test flight.
The latest test focused on ensuring that the aircraft structure could safely handle higher speeds and varying altitudes. Modifications to the vibration system made after the previous flight helped make the jet’s progress safer and more efficient.
+ Click here to watch one of the XB-1 supersonic jet tests
Test pilot Tristan Brandenburg is optimistic about the future of the project, which aims to make supersonic travel more accessible compared to the Concorde, which was retired due to high operational costs.
Additionally, Boom Technology has partnered with the Defense Innovation Unit and the Air Force Operational Energy Office to continue developing and testing new technologies. Recently, the jet received upgrades such as a sharkskin-inspired material to reduce drag and fuel consumption, promoting a more sustainable supersonic flight.
Although the company is making rapid progress, there is still no set date for commercial flights, and some delays in testing suggest that the arrival of commercial flights may take a few more years.
Source: LADbible | Photo: Instagram @boomsupersonic | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
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