Boom Supersonic has begun taxiing tests of its Overture supersonic aircraft prototype, which will be able to reach speeds of more than 2,000km/h

Boom Supersonic has taken another step towards creating a supersonic aircraft. The US startup has begun taxiing tests of the prototype.

Here's What We Know

The supersonic aircraft is called Overture and its prototype is called the XB-1. The startup believes it will revive commercial supersonic aviation. The Federal Aviation Administration has authorised the company to conduct flight tests.

The prototype, which is three times smaller than the final version, is expected to take to the air by the end of 2023. Symbolically, this will be 20 years after the Concorde supersonic passenger jet was decommissioned.

The taxiing test closes the XB-1 test series. The pilot of the prototype is test pilot Tristan Brandenburg and the co-pilot is test pilot Bill Shoemaker.

The prototype is equipped with three J85 propulsion systems manufactured by General Electric, which run on environmentally friendly aviation fuel. A new propulsion system will be developed for the Overture, which will allow the aircraft to reach speeds of Mach 1.7 ($2082.6 km/h). Kratos will help, after Pratt & Whitney, GE Aviation and Honeywell withdrew their co-operation.

Source: Boom