The world of aviation just saw a significant leap forward with a groundbreaking achievement.
A supersonic jet, known as the ‘Son of the Concorde,’ has officially surpassed the speed of sound for the very first time.
This marks an exciting chapter for the aviation industry, bringing us closer to the return of supersonic commercial flights.
A Historic Flight
On Tuesday at 11:22 am ET, the XB-1 demonstrator aircraft took off from the Mojave Air & Space Port in California.
The jet ascended to 35,000 feet, reaching a speed of 844 miles per hour—faster than the speed of sound, which travels at 761 miles per hour.
This momentous flight is a significant milestone for Boom, the aviation startup behind the project.
Setting the Stage for the Overture
Boom’s XB-1 is a key step toward the development of the Overture, a supersonic airliner designed to drastically reduce travel times.
The Overture will be able to fly from New York City to London in just 3.5 hours, a huge improvement over the typical 8-hour journey on commercial jets.
With a length of 199 feet and a cruising speed of over twice the speed of sound, Overture promises to revolutionize air travel.
The aircraft will be able to travel at speeds exceeding Mach 2, with a range of over 5,000 miles per hour.
Already, Boom has secured 130 pre-orders for the Overture, with major carriers like American Airlines, United Airlines, and Japan Airlines on board.
However, passengers can expect to pay around $5,000 for a flight between New York and London, which is significantly more affordable than the $20,000 seats on the Concorde, adjusted for inflation.
The Return of Supersonic Flight
Boom is making history as the first independent company to design, build, and fly a supersonic aircraft since the Concorde retired in 2003.
The XB-1, piloted by Tristan “Geppetto” Brandenburg, chief pilot at Boom, hit Mach 1.1 during its latest test flight.
This surpasses the previous speed of sound record of Mach 1, achieved by Chuck Yeager in 1947.
The XB-1, which measures 71 feet long and seats only one pilot, was tested near the Edwards Air Force Base—the very place where Yeager first broke the sound barrier.
Blake Scholl, Boom’s CEO and founder, expressed his excitement over the flight: “This flight marks the most significant milestone yet on our path to bring supersonic travel to passengers worldwide.”
What’s Next for Supersonic Travel?
Although XB-1 has now exceeded Mach 1, Boom’s journey is far from over.
The company’s next goal is to finalize the design for the Overture, with hopes for an initial rollout in 2025.
While progress has been slowed by delays with the XB-1 demonstrator, the success of this recent flight brings them closer to their vision of offering commercial supersonic travel.
With Overture poised to reach Mach 1.7 and carry up to 80 passengers across the Atlantic, the future of air travel looks faster than ever.
This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn