The XB-1 demonstrator jet from Boom Supersonic made history by surpassing the speed of sound, marking the return of commercial supersonic flights to the skies of the United States.
The feat took place in the Mojave Desert, California, where the XB-1 reached Mach 1 at an altitude of 10,668 meters, following the retirement of the Concorde in 2003. The historic flight, broadcast live, lasted about 30 minutes and was accompanied by two chase planes.
The XB-1, known as “Baby Boom,” serves as a prototype for the Overture, Boom Supersonic’s future supersonic aircraft, which will have a capacity for 64 to 80 passengers and promises to cut flight times in half on transoceanic routes.
The company already has over 100 orders for the Overture from major airlines and expects the model to enter service in the next decade, ushering in a new era of faster and more efficient aviation.
The test flight not only demonstrated the XB-1’s performance at supersonic speeds but also highlighted the potential for a future where air travel will be significantly faster. Greg Krauland, former chief engineer at Boom, emphasized the impact of this technology, which could make supersonic flights accessible to the general public.
Source: Olhar Digital | Photo: Instagram @boomsupersonic | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team