Boom Supersonic has announced the launch of its XB-1 demonstrator aircraft, marking a further step towards the company’s ambition of building a supersonic airliner, called Overture.
The XB-1 took off from the Mojave Air and Space Port in California and met all of its test objectives, including ‘safely and successfully achieving an altitude of 7,120 feet and speeds of up to 238 knots (273mph). Founder and CEO of Boom Supersonic described the flight as “the most significant milestone yet on [the company’s] path to bring supersonic travel to passengers worldwide,” and was something he had personally been looking forward to since founding the company in 2014.
The XB-1 is designed to validate key technologies and innovations integral to the success of the eventual Overture programme, including the use of carbon fibre composites, digitally-optimized aerodynamics and supersonic air intakes. An augmented reality vision system, featuring two nose-mounted cameras, also offers ‘excellent runway visibility’; enabling improved aerodynamic efficiency without requiring the movable nose employed on Concorde.
“Everyone on the XB-1 team should be incredibly proud of this achievement,” said Bill “Doc” Shoemaker, Chief Test Pilot for Boom Supersonic. “It has been a privilege to share this journey with so many dedicated and talented professionals. The experience we have gained in reaching this milestone will be invaluable to Boom’s revival of supersonic travel.”
