Boom XB-1 passenger aircraft breaks the supersonic barrier for the first time
Boom Supersonic's XB-1 demonstration aircraft broke the sound barrier for the first time in the skies over California's Mojave Desert, becoming the first civilian aircraft to reach supersonic speeds.
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This historic event occurred during the twelfth test flight, when the aircraft reached a speed of Mach 1.1 (approximately 1,354 km/h) and remained supersonic for about four minutes. Test pilot Tristan Brandenburg broke the sound barrier two more times before returning to Mojave Air and Space Port.
This flight took place eight years after Boom first introduced the XB-1. The aircraft is a smaller version of the 64-seat Overture airliner that the company plans to build in the future. Boom CEO Blake Scholl said there is still a lot of work ahead, including Overture's first engine launch, which is planned for this year.
American Airlines and Japan Airlines have already placed orders for the proposed supersonic aircraft. A second supersonic test flight of the XB-1 could take place in the coming weeks.
Source: techcrunch