Concorde 2.0? Boom Supersonic XB-1 Jet Breaks Sound Barrier During California Test Flight

Boom Supersonic moved one step closer to re-introducing supersonic passenger service after another successful test flight on Monday of its XB-1 prototype jet. But this test was special, marking the first time a civilian aircraft has broken the sound barrier over the continental United States.

Boom Supersonic XB-1 Prototype Breaks Sounds Barrier Over California Desert

I’ve written extensively about Boom Supersonic and how both American Airlines and United Airlines have placed substantial orders for the next-generation Concorde jet, dubbed Overture. While Boom has not yet produced its first Overture aircraft, the XB-1 is a “technology demonstrator” built to test key components ahead of the production of Overture.

Tristan “Geppetto” Brandenburg, a former Navy Top Gun pilot, was chief test pilot for the flight, which took off from the Mojave Air & Space Port in California. It was the 12th test flight for the XB-1, but this one was special.

About 12 minutes into the flight, as the aircraft neared an altitude of 35,000 feet (10,668 meters), the XB-1 exceeded Mach 1, breaking the sound barrier and marking the first time a civil aircraft has gone supersonic over the continental United States.

(which brings back memories of the politics of the Concorde that often centered around the sound barrier…)

The aircraft went supersonic again at 17 minutes and 22 minutes into the flight before landing roughly 30 minutes after takeoff.

Boom advisor Greg Krauland, who once served as the company’s Chief Engineer, remarked:

“This is such a huge step, building the first civil supersonic jet, you know, right here in America. This jet really does have much of the enabling technologies that are going to enable us to go ahead and to build a commercial supersonic airliner that is available to the masses.”

Here’s video of the entire journey:

(the live stream was made possible by a Starlink mini-unit placed on the T-38 chase plane that trailed the XB-1)

CONCLUSION

While Overture, which plans to cut intercontinental travel times in half (last seen on the Concorde in 2003) and seat 64 to 80 passengers onboard, is still many years off, yesterday’s test flight shows 1.) this is serious and 2.) this is one step closer to reality.

Read More:

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United Airlines Announces Supersonic Aircraft Order
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image: BOOM! Supersonic.