Boom Supersonic XB-1 Completes Key Test Before Supersonic Flight

Boom Supersonic’s XB-1 demonstrator aircraft has achieved a significant milestone with its eighth successful subsonic test flight, bringing the company closer to its goal of supersonic commercial flight by the end of 2024. The latest test flight was focused on evaluating the aircraft’s handling qualities without relying on the stability augmentation system (SAS), a crucial aspect of ensuring the XB-1’s safety and performance at higher speeds.

The 54-minute flight, which took place at an undisclosed location, saw the XB-1 reach a maximum altitude of 25,040 feet (7,632 meters) and a speed of Mach 0.82, or 487 knots true airspeed. This test demonstrated that the XB-1 remains controllable even at relatively high speeds, without the support of the SAS, which is typically used to maintain stability in aircraft. This achievement is particularly important because it validates the design of the aircraft as one that does not rely on automated flight systems to remain stable, a major accomplishment in the development of supersonic flight.

The XB-1’s handling without SAS activation marks a significant departure from the reliance on computerized flight path adjustments seen in many modern fighter jets and other advanced aircraft. These automated systems make continuous adjustments to the flight path to ensure stability, especially at high speeds. Boom Supersonic’s design team, however, set out to create an aircraft that could safely operate without such systems, a feat that has now been proven in the latest test flight.

Chief Test Pilot Tristan “Geppetto” Brandenburg, who was at the controls during the test flight, navigated the XB-1 through its planned maneuvers, showcasing the aircraft’s robust design and handling capabilities. Brandenburg’s successful demonstration of the XB-1’s performance at higher speeds without the SAS highlights the progress Boom Supersonic has made in designing an aircraft that can eventually be scaled to a commercial supersonic airliner.

The XB-1 is a key part of Boom Supersonic’s plans for the Overture, the company’s upcoming supersonic passenger airliner. While the XB-1 serves as a technology demonstrator, the Overture will be designed to carry between 64 and 80 passengers, flying at a cruising speed of Mach 1.7 and covering a range of 4,250 nautical miles (7,867 kilometers). The Overture is expected to revolutionize air travel, cutting flight times significantly on long-haul routes and ushering in a new era of commercial supersonic aviation.

This milestone flight is part of Boom Supersonic’s larger roadmap to bring supersonic travel back to the commercial aviation market, a feat that has not been achieved since the Concorde ceased operations in 2003. The company’s ambition to create a sustainable, high-performance supersonic airliner faces many technical challenges, but with the XB-1’s successful tests, Boom Supersonic is making significant strides toward realizing its vision.

As the testing phase of the XB-1 progresses, the next major goal will be to begin supersonic flight testing, expected to happen before the end of 2024. The ultimate goal for Boom Supersonic is to introduce the Overture into service, potentially as early as the late 2020s, transforming how people travel globally. This progress represents a promising future for high-speed aviation, where time savings and innovation will be the key drivers in reshaping the industry.

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