A modern, streamlined white aircraft made history on Tuesday by becoming the first jet to independently achieve supersonic flight, soaring high over the Mojave Desert with an enthusiastic audience below.
The XB-1 jet reached a speed of Mach 1.05 approximately 11 minutes after its takeoff, as confirmed by Boom Supersonic along with live footage of the remarkable test flight.
This event took place at the Mojave Air & Space Port in California, as the company endeavors to revive the era of commercial supersonic travel, which faded away when the Anglo-French Concorde was grounded over twenty years ago.
Looking ahead, Boom is set to concentrate on its Overture airliner project, which is expected to accommodate around 80 passengers and operate at nearly double the speed of current subsonic aircraft.
“The successful supersonic flight of the XB-1 proves that the technology for commercial supersonic travel is ready,” said Blake Scholl, the founder and CEO of Boom, in a statement.
“A dedicated team of talented engineers has achieved what once required government backing and substantial financial investments.”
The XB-1, which made its maiden flight in March, is primarily constructed from lightweight carbon fiber.
To aid with landings, it employs an augmented reality vision system, which is particularly important due to its pointed nose and steep landing approach that can obscure pilots’ visibility.
“The future of aviation is now upon us,” stated Amy Marino Spowart, president and CEO of the National Aeronautic Association.
“This not only suggests a brighter future for faster and more efficient commercial aviation but also demonstrates that this can be achieved in a sustainable manner.”
Boom is among various companies eyeing the potential of supersonic passenger services.
However, any upcoming service will likely encounter the same challenges that affected the Concorde, which was restricted from multiple overland routes due to the disruptive sonic booms produced during its flights over the Atlantic.
Sonic booms occur when aircraft exceed the speed of sound, which is generally around 760 mph (1,223 kph) at sea level, although this speed can vary based on atmospheric temperature, altitude, and other factors, according to the Congressional Research Service.
As a supersonic plane travels through the air, it exerts significant force on surrounding air molecules, generating a shock wave similar to the wake a boat creates as it moves through water, according to NASA.
Interestingly, Tuesday’s test flight occurred in the same airspace where Charles “Chuck” Yeager famously broke the sound barrier in 1947 while flying the distinctive orange Bell X-1 rocket plane.
