American aerospace startup Boom achieved a major milestone by breaking the sound barrier. The test flight of its XB-1 demonstrator jet took place at Mojave Air & Space Port. This historic event made it the first U.S. civil supersonic jet to achieve such a feat .
Chief test pilot Tristan “Geppetto” Brandenburg piloted the XB-1 to impressive speeds. The aircraft climbed to an altitude of 35,290 feet before accelerating to Mach 1.122. This speed equals approximately 750 mph, surpassing the speed of sound. NASA defines “Mach” as speed relative to sound in the surrounding medium. Mach 1 represents the speed of sound, meaning XB-1 flew 0.122 Mach faster .
Historically, governments and militaries have developed and operated supersonic aircraft . The XB-1’s supersonic flight is unique because it was privately funded and developed. This was the first time a privately built aircraft broke the sound barrier over the U.S. During its test flight, the jet exceeded Mach 1 not just once, but thrice.
Boom Supersonic CEO, Blake Scholl, highlighted that a small, highly skilled engineering team accomplished what once required billions . The success of the XB-1 marks an essential step toward commercial supersonic travel .
Boom Supersonic is now focused on developing its next aircraft, the Overture .The Overture airliner will carry 64 to 80 passengers at Mach 1.7. This is almost twice the speed of modern commercial airliners.
Boom completed construction of the Overture Super Factory in Greensboro, North Carolina, in 2023 . The company has already received 130 orders and pre-orders from major airlines including- American Airlines, United Airlines, and Japan Airlines .
It is notable that, the first sound barrier breakthrough happened on October 14, 1947. Capt. Chuck Yeager piloted the Bell X-1 rocket aircraft and made aviation history.
