A Historic Boom Supersonic Flight for Civil Aviation

Denver-based aerospace company Boom Supersonic has opened a new chapter in flight by successfully supersonically flying its XB-1 demonstrator aircraft “Boom Supersonic Flight”. The event was historic in nature and took place at California’s Mojave Air & Space port-Ram’s Flight-one of the first private-developed civilian jets to break the sound barrier.

For crewed tests, the XB-1 was piloted by Boom’s chief test pilot Tristan “Geppetto” Brandenburg, who flew up to 35,290 ft, accelerating to Mach 1.122 (750 mph). The craft was at supersonic speed for about four minutes and then continued the test breaking the speed of sound two more times. This opens the door for commercial supersonic flying, which has not taken place since the Concorde was retired in 2003.

The XB-1 successful test flight is a watershed moment for private venture aerospace development. From history, that has classically been the realm of government and military-led projects. The man who first flew supersonically was Chuck Yeager in 1947 on the Bell X-1, in another project backed by the government at that time. In time thereafter, Concorde became the first commercial supersonic airplane ever, but very high operations cost and safety worries have forced it into retirement.

Boom Supersonic aims to change all that with its independently developed supersonic technology. CEO Blake Scholl, commenting on what this milestone means, added, “A few talented and dedicated engineers have been able to do what governments and billions of dollars could not. We have proved with Boom Supersonic Flight that the technology for passenger supersonic flight is ready. Our next step is scaling this up to become Overture, our commercial supersonic airliner.”

This milestone places Boom Supersonic on a map toward leading the way for the revival of high-speed air travel for passengers.

XB-1: A Probe into the Future of Supersonic Travel

The XB-1 is a one-third-scaled demonstrator aircraft developed to test and refine technologies for Boom’s full-size commercial airliner Overture. The aircraft is designed smaller, but still embodies cutting-edge innovations that set the pace for the future of supersonic travel, such as:

1. Carbon Fiber Composite Construction

In contrast with aircraft that have been manufactured with aluminum as the primary material for the body, like the Concorde, the XB-1 is built almost entirely from carbon-fiber composites. This allows a stronger, yet lighter structure, bringing the weight down while preserving aerodynamic efficiency, which is critical for high speeds.

• Digitally Optimized Aerodynamics

Using advanced computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations, the design is tuned to perfection by Boom engineers. The aircraft’s streamlined fuselage and delta wings ensure stability at takeoff/landing as well as efficient supersonic cruising.

• Augmented Reality Vision System

The XB-1 has all the layers of an Augmented Reality Vision System which greatly enhances runway visibility. This system differs from the Concorde which had a tilting nose for pilots clear visibility during landing and takeoff. Boom’s system utilizes cameras and displays to provide pilots with a clear view without adding any further mechanical complexity.

• Supersonic Engine Intakes

Intake management at high speed is imperative for efficient flight. The engine intakes of XB-1 slow down the incoming supersonic air to subsonic speed before it reaches the engine, lending to better performance and fuel efficiency. The lessons learnt from the XB-1’s aerodynamically scored design are directly applicable to Overture and its custom-designed Symphony engine.

These innovations have undergone a brutal program of flight testing. After its first subsonic flight in March 2024, the XB-1 went on to complete eleven more test flights under progressively demanding flying conditions, before challenging itself to successfully fly supersonic speeds by January 2025.

Image: Financial Times

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Overture: The Next Step in Commercial Supersonic Flight

Boom Supersonic is working toward creating Overture, a next-generation supersonic airliner designed to make once Again high-speed passenger travel commonplace. Overture will be capable of carrying 64-80 passengers at Mach 1.7-nearly twice the speed of today’s fastest commercial airliners. Trans-oceanic flights that take seven hours now will only take three and a half.

Boom Supersonic is also committed to sustainability. Overture will operate on 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), enabling it to significantly reduce its carbon emissions compared to earlier supersonic planes.

Global Interest in Overture

Major airlines have placed orders for Overture, showing the high confidence in the industry for Boom Supersonic’s vision. The company has announced 130 orders and pre-orders from leading carriers including American Airlines, United Airlines, and Japan Airlines.

To support production, Boom has established the Overture Superfactory in Greensboro, North Carolina. The facility will produce up to 66 Overture aircraft per year, hastening the return of commercial supersonic travel.

The Legacy of Supersonic Flight and the Road Ahead

This was the supersonic flight of XB-1 in the same airspace where Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier in 1947, hence going down in history. This is also the first government-piloted civil supersonic flight since the Concorde’s retirement over years ago.

With the latest advancement in aerodynamics, materials, and sustainable fuels, Boom Supersonic is within a stone’s throw of leading the new era of high-speed travel. Sure, there are challenges ahead, including regulatory approvals and noise abatement strategies, yet the XB-1’s testing brings back commercial supersonic travel in our sights.

Boom sees Overture continuing to rise, while the success of Boom Supersonic Flight with the XB-1 serves as the clearest signal yet that fast, efficient, and sustainable air travel is poised for the future.

References:

https://defence-industry.eu/boom-supersonic-achieves-milestone-with-first-supersonic-flight-of-xb-1-demonstrator/

https://www.newsweek.com/boom-supersonic-xb-1-test-flight-sound-barrier-2022540

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/boom-supersonic-achieves-supersonic-flight-302362444.html

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/boom-supersonic-achieves-supersonic-flight-302362444.html