Boom Supersonic, the aviation company developing the Overture supersonic passenger jet, has achieved a significant milestone in its flight test program.
On December 19, 2024, the company’s prototype aircraft, XB-1, successfully completed its 10th test flight, reaching a new top speed of Mach 0.95. This achievement marks a crucial step towards breaking the sound barrier in early 2025.
During the 46-minute flight, piloted by Chief Test Pilot Tristan “Geppetto” Brandenburg, XB-1 pushed further into the transonic regime, the speed range just below supersonic (between Mach 0.8 and 1.2).
At Mach 0.95, XB-1 surpassed the cruising speeds of commercial giants like the Boeing 787 and Airbus A380, demonstrating its impressive performance potential.
This flight also saw XB-1 reach a new maximum altitude of 32,417 feet. This brings it closer to the altitude at which supersonic flight will occur (approximately 34,000 feet).
The successful completion of these tests is a testament to the dedicated work of the Boom Supersonic team. The company continues to rigorously evaluate XB-1’s performance and gather crucial data to inform the development of Overture.
Tenth Test Flight: The Transonic Regime
Key objectives achieved during the 10th flight included:
- Assessing aircraft handling qualities: XB-1 successfully demonstrated stable and controllable flight at Mach 0.9. This was even with the stability augmentation system deactivated, ensuring pilot safety in the event of a system failure.
- Testing critical flutter points: The team conducted rigorous tests at various speeds and altitudes. This aimed to ensure the aircraft’s structural integrity at higher speeds and dynamic pressures.
Building on Previous Successes
Following the successful completion of the 9th test flight, Boom Supersonic continued a further series of tests. These were carried out in collaboration with the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) and the Air Force Operational Energy Office.
These collaborative efforts aim to further refine XB-1’s performance and explore potential applications for advanced aerospace technologies.
Prior to the 8th flight, a significant innovation was introduced. This saw the application of a shark skin-inspired “riblet” package to XB-1’s aft underbelly.
This novel material, developed by MicroTau, is designed to reduce aerodynamic drag. This leads to improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions, particularly at high speeds.
The successful testing of these riblets on XB-1 represents a crucial step in the test regime. It moves towards realizing these performance gains for both XB-1 and the future Overture supersonic passenger jet.
The Path to Supersonic Flight
With these milestones reached, Boom Supersonic is now poised to embark on the ultimate test. The next exciting phase of its flight test program now awaits: supersonic flight.
The company anticipates 1-2 additional flights to complete final system checks. This will come before attempting to break the sound barrier in the coming months.
Boom Supersonic’s Overture promises to revolutionize air travel by offering passengers a significantly faster and more efficient way to travel long distances. With each successful test flight, the company moves closer to realizing its vision of a future where supersonic travel is once again a reality.
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