Concorde successor. Boom XB-1 supersonic aircraft had its first test flight

The Boom XB-1 supersonic demonstrator successfully completed its first flight at Mojave Air and Space Port in California.

During this historic moment, test pilot Bill “Doc” Shoemaker was at the controls of the XB-1, followed by test pilot Tristan “Geppetto” Brandenburg in the T-38 supersonic aircraft, whose job was to observe the flight and confirm altitude and speed.

The XB-1 is 19 meters long, has a wingspan of 6 meters and is powered by three GE J85-15 engines providing approximately 5.6 tons of thrust. During the first flight, the plane rose to a height of 2170 meters and reached a speed of 440 km/h.

These figures do not meet expectations for a supersonic aircraft, but Boom says that once the aerodynamic characteristics and flight capability are confirmed, the XB-1 will be able to significantly increase its speed. In the next tests it is planned to reach speeds of more than 1,1000 kilometers per hour.

The XB-1 features a number of innovations, including augmented reality, digitally optimized aerodynamics, carbon composite construction and supersonic air intakes that slow incoming air to subsonic speeds. This allows the use of conventional jet engines.

The goal of the Boom XB-1 is to develop technology that will be used in the company’s Overture supersonic jet, designed to carry up to 80 passengers at Mach 1.7.