On February 1, 2025, Boom Supersonic achieved milestone aviation history with the successful supersonic flight of its XB-1 demonstrator aircraft at the Mojave Air & Space Port, California. This flight marks the first time a privately developed jet has broken the sound barrier, aiming to reinvigorate supersonic travel for commercial aviation.
Chief test pilot Tristan "Geppetto" Brandenburg flew the XB-1, which soared to 35,290 feet and accelerated to Mach 1.122, equivalent to 750 mph. According to Boom, this momentous flight symbolizes the arrival of passenger supersonic flight technology. "Historically, supersonic aircraft have been the work of nation states, developed by militaries and governments. XB-1’s supersonic flight marks the first time an independently developed jet has broken the sound barrier," Boom stated.
Blake Scholl, founder and CEO of Boom Supersonic, underscored the achievement, saying, "A small band of talented and dedicated engineers has accomplished what previously took governments and billions of dollars. Next, we are scaling up the technology on XB-1 for the Overture supersonic airliner. Our ultimate goal is to bring the benefits of supersonic flight to everyone." This vision aims for widespread use of supersonic transport, promising to significantly cut down travel times across the globe.
The XB-1 incorporates numerous features intended for the Overture, including carbon fiber composites and digital stability augmentation for enhanced performance and safety. An augmented-reality vision system is also included to improve landing visibility, showcasing cutting-edge technology being put to work.
After its inaugural flight back in March 2024, the XB-1 undertook 11 human-piloted test flights under increasingly stringent conditions, each aimed at assessing its systems and aerodynamic capabilities. Notably, XB-1's flight occurred within the same airspace where aviation pioneer Chuck Yeager first broke the sound barrier over seventy years ago, marking its legacy as the first human-piloted civil supersonic flight since the retirement of the Concorde more than 20 years ago.
Boom Supersonic plans for the Overture to accommodate 64 to 80 passengers at Mach 1.7, which is roughly twice as fast as today's standard subsonic airliners, and will service over 600 global routes. A 180,000-square-foot "superfactory" dedicated to Overture's construction was completed last June, and Boom indicates it is on schedule to enter service by 2029.
The current assembly line is expected to yield 33 aircraft annually, with plans to expand production capacity to 66 Overture airliners per year, valued at more than $6 billion. This ambitious undertaking hints at the potential transformation of the air travel industry, inviting future travelers to experience the thrill of supersonic speeds once again.
With this demonstration, Boom Supersonic sets the stage for what could be the revival of high-speed commercial air travel, challenging the status quo and providing options reminiscent of the golden age of aviation.