New U.S. Supersonic Jet Soars To Record 25,040 Feet

Boom Supersonic is making substantial progress toward bringing the concept of commercial supersonic travel back to life. The company’s XB-1 demonstrator aircraft, which is a precursor to its planned Overture jet, recently completed its eighth test flight on November 16, 2024.

This aircraft reached an impressive new altitude record of 25,040 feet (7,632 meters), its highest yet. The flight lasted 54 minutes and reached its top speed of Mach 0.82, which matches its previous speed record. These milestones are part of Boom Supersonic’s larger vision to reintroduce supersonic passenger flights, a goal that has gained momentum in recent years, despite the challenges that led to the discontinuation of the Concorde in 2003.

Boom Supersonic’s goal is not just to develop a supersonic aircraft, but to bring it into the mainstream of commercial aviation. However, before the XB-1 attempts to break the sound barrier and achieve supersonic speeds, the company has laid out plans to conduct additional subsonic test flights. These tests will focus on expanding the aircraft’s operational envelope, ensuring its performance at transonic speeds, and assessing its overall flight stability and aerodynamic properties.

The XB-1 is designed to eventually exceed Mach 1, which is the speed of sound (roughly 767 miles per hour or 1,234 km/h), an essential step for Boom to refine the technology necessary for its planned commercial supersonic jet, the Overture. The company has emphasized the importance of reaching this milestone, not only as a demonstration of the aircraft’s capabilities but also as a stepping stone toward a new era of faster air travel.

A significant hurdle in the pursuit of supersonic travel has always been the issue of noise. When an aircraft exceeds the speed of sound, it creates a sonic boom—a loud, thunderous noise generated by the shockwaves produced as the aircraft breaks through the sound barrier. The disruptive nature of sonic booms led the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to implement a ban on civil supersonic flights over land in 1973. This, in turn, limited the viability of supersonic aircraft for commercial use.

Boom Supersonic is acutely aware of this challenge and has designed the Overture jet with this in mind. The company plans to fly the Overture at Mach 0.94—just below the speed of sound—when flying over land. By doing so, Boom hopes to avoid the disruptive sonic booms that would otherwise occur at full supersonic speeds, offering a quieter and more acceptable experience for passengers and people on the ground.

Boom’s work is closely aligned with NASA’s efforts to tackle the sonic boom problem. NASA is currently developing its supersonic aircraft, the X-59, which is specifically designed to produce a much quieter version of the sonic boom, referred to as a “sonic thump.” The X-59’s design features a long, sleek fuselage with a narrow wingspan, which helps minimize the shockwaves produced during flight, thereby reducing the noise. NASA’s goal is for the sonic thump created by the X-59 to be as quiet as the sound of a car door closing—hardly noticeable to those on the ground.

Once the X-59 completes its test flights, NASA plans to fly it over several U.S. cities to measure the impact of the sonic thump on residents. If the results show that the noise is not disruptive, there could be significant implications for the future of supersonic flight, as the FAA may reconsider its ban on overland supersonic flights. However, regulatory changes are not expected to happen before 2027.

Boom Supersonic’s ultimate goal is to introduce its Overture jet into commercial service, providing passengers with the opportunity to fly faster than ever before. The Overture is designed to carry up to 65 passengers and travel at speeds of Mach 1.7—about 1,304 mph or 2,100 km/h—significantly reducing flight times. For example, a flight from New York to London, which typically takes around 7 hours, could be completed in just 3.5 hours, offering substantial time savings for travelers.

While the Overture will be capable of supersonic speeds, the company is also aware of the need to balance performance with practicality. By limiting the aircraft’s maximum speed over land to Mach 0.94, Boom plans to sidestep the noise issues associated with breaking the sound barrier, ensuring that their supersonic flights can be offered without causing disturbances to those living near flight paths.

As Boom continues its demonstration flights, the company’s success with the XB-1 brings it one step closer to making the dream of supersonic air travel a reality. The recent achievement of a new altitude record and the successful testing of its speed capabilities are significant markers in the company’s journey.

With advancements in reducing the sonic boom impact, Boom’s Overture jet may soon become a feasible solution to the problem of long flight times, offering a new class of air travel that could revolutionize the aviation industry.