Key Points
- Boom’s XB-1 “Baby Boom” broke the sound barrier thrice during a test flight over the Mojave Desert.
- The plane reached a speed of Mach 1.1 at an altitude of 35,000 feet. It marks the first time a civilian aircraft broke the sound barrier in U.S. airspace.
- Boom plans to launch a supersonic passenger jet, Overture, with a top speed of Mach 1.7. Overture aims to cut travel times in half.
- Major airlines, including United and American, have signed deals to purchase Overture jets.
Boom, the startup focused on building the next generation of supersonic aircraft, has reached a groundbreaking milestone. Its test plane, the XB-1 “Baby Boom,” successfully broke the sound barrier for the first time. Piloted by Tristan “Gepetto” Brandenburg, the aircraft achieved this feat while flying through the Bell X-1 Supersonic Corridor over the Mojave Desert.
The XB-1 reached a speed of Mach 1.1 at an altitude of 35,000 feet, maintaining supersonic velocity for several minutes until it reached the edge of authorized airspace. During the flight, the plane broke the sound barrier three times before safely returning to base. This marks the first time a civilian aircraft has broken the sound barrier over the United States.
Boom’s achievements come after years of meticulous development and testing. The company unveiled the XB-1 as a precursor to its larger goal: introducing supersonic passenger jets for commercial use. Testing ramped up in 2024, with subsonic flights conducted throughout the year. These rigorous evaluations have brought Boom closer to launching its flagship passenger aircraft, dubbed Overture.
Designed to revolutionize air travel, Overture is planned to reach speeds of Mach 1.7, equivalent to 1,305 miles per hour, cutting current transcontinental flight times in half. This technological leap, however, will cater to a niche market, as supersonic flights are expected to come with premium ticket prices.
Boom has already garnered attention and support from major airlines, including United Airlines and American Airlines, who have signed deals to purchase Overture jets. These partnerships signify a strong commercial interest in reviving supersonic travel, which last saw widespread use during the Concorde era. With the successful test flights of the XB-1, Boom is one step closer to bringing supersonic passenger jets back into the skies.