Boom Supersonic Considers 12th Test Flight
Boom Supersonic is in the final stages of evaluating whether a 12th test flight of its XB-1 demonstrator is needed before its eagerly awaited attempt at breaking the speed barrier. On January 10, 2025, the XB-1 achieved a notable milestone by reaching Mach 0.95 during a 44-minute flight over the Mojave Desert, with Chief Test Pilot Tristan “Geppetto” Brandenburg at the controls. This exciting performance comes as the aircraft continues to push its performance boundaries, having already completed 11 test flights.
During the 11th flight, the XB-1 not only neared supersonic speeds but also climbed to an altitude of 29,481 feet. According to a spokesperson for Boom Supersonic, the primary objective for Flight 11 was to expand dynamic pressure to 383 KEAS (knots equivalent airspeed). This figure is higher than the dynamic pressure the aircraft is expected to encounter during its first planned supersonic flight, which is slated to occur at Mach 1.1. The spokesperson emphasized that dynamic pressure is a critical parameter, representing how forcefully the aircraft pushes through the air. As the plane approaches the speed of sound, the interplay between dynamic pressure and Mach number becomes crucial in shaping aircraft performance.
“Dynamic pressure and Mach number work together to shape the aircraft’s performance,” the spokesperson explained. “During flight testing, we carefully expand one parameter at a time—either Mach number or dynamic pressure—to ensure safe and precise performance. The relationship between these two numbers changes with altitude—the faster and lower you are, the higher the dynamic pressure, and vice versa.” This measured approach is central to Boom Supersonic’s strategy as it prepares to make history by breaking the sound barrier with the XB-1 demonstrator.
Founder and CEO Blake Scholl expressed his excitement about the latest test flight in a video posted online. “When approaching the speed of sound, parts of the airflow become supersonic. We’d predicted shockwaves at Mach 0.95… and if you look carefully enough, there they are!!” Scholl’s enthusiasm reflects the milestone’s importance for the team and the broader aviation community eager to see new advancements in supersonic travel.
Despite these impressive results, some technical issues surfaced during the recent flight, including GPS and radio anomalies. Scholl noted, “We did have some GPS and radio issues. The team is contemplating one more subsonic flight to ring these out before we go boom.” The decision on whether to conduct a 12th test flight hinges on a thorough review of the flight data, which will inform the team if the systems need further refinement to ensure optimal safety and performance when the aircraft transitions to supersonic speeds.
As Boom Supersonic prepares for its upcoming milestone of breaking the sound barrier in early 2025, every test flight brings the team one step closer to achieving this historic moment. The comprehensive data review from the recent flights will be critical in determining if an additional subsonic flight is necessary or if the XB-1 is ready to push into supersonic territory.
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