Link: Boom’s supersonic test plane breaks the sound barrier for the first time

Boom Supersonic's prototype, the XB-1, achieved supersonic speeds during its 12th flight, breaking the sound barrier three times. The flight took place in the Bell X-1 Supersonic Corridor and marked a significant milestone as the first time a civilian aircraft broke the speed of sound independently of a governmental project.

After its initial subsonic flight in March 2024, the XB-1 has now successfully reached an altitude of 34,000 feet and a top speed of Mach 1.1. This smaller-scale model paves the way for the larger Overture airliner, which aims to carry 64 passengers at speeds up to Mach 1.7.

The XB-1 is equipped with three General Electric J85-15 turbojet engines.

Boom Supersonic's future plans include developing its own engines for the full-scale Overture plane, following the end of its partnership with Rolls-Royce in 2022.

The company, which has raised over $700 million and sold aircraft to major airlines, aims to launch Overture's first flight by 2030.

Continued development and testing are required to achieve this goal, laying a foundation for the next generation of supersonic commercial flights. #

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