Major milestones have been achieved as the world’s first independently developed supersonic jet takes its maiden flight
DENVER, in 2023 August 24 /PRNewswire/ — Boom Supersonic, the company behind the world’s fastest airplane, Overture, announced today that it has completed several major milestones for Boom’s XB-1 technology demonstrator. The XB-1 leverages 60 years of advances in aircraft technology such as carbon fiber composites, advanced avionics and digitally optimized aerodynamics to ensure sustainable supersonic travel.
Since its arrival, the XB-1 has undergone extensive ground testing, including taxi tests this week at Mojave Air and Space Airport in Mojave, California.
The XB-1 was moved from the company’s hangar earlier this year Centennial, Colorado to Mojave Air and Space Port in Mojave, California continue preparing for the flight. Since its arrival, the aircraft has undergone extensive ground testing, including taxi tests this week.
“Recent progress toward the XB-1’s first flight reflects the team’s collective efforts to develop and safely fly the world’s first independently developed supersonic jet. Blake SchollFounder and CEO of Boom Supersonic.
In addition to ongoing testing, the XB-1 recently received an experimental certificate of airworthiness from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) following a thorough inspection of the aircraft. Boom also received authorization to allow Chief Test Pilot Bill “Doc” Shoemaker and Test Pilot Tristan “Gepetto” Brandenburg to fly the XB-1. In addition, there are letters of agreement with airspace authorities that allow aircraft to fly over the airspace Mojave desert. The XB-1’s historic first flight will take place in the same airspace where Capt. Charles “Chuck” Yeager first broke the sound barrier in the Bell X-1 and Mach 3+ strategic reconnaissance SR-71 Blackbird first flew in 1964 .
XB-1 provided the company with valuable knowledge, including building a strong safety culture. In preparation for flight, Boom’s test pilots spent hundreds of hours in the simulator to evaluate the aircraft, develop operations, train and evaluate human factors to achieve the highest level of safety. Test pilots also maintain their flying skills in the T-38 trainer, the same aircraft that will be used as the chase plane for all XB-1 flight tests. To further increase safety, test pilots will use the T-38 to learn formation flying.
“It’s fitting that the XB-1 is now making its maiden flight at Mojave Air and Space, home to more than 50 first flights and other major aviation events,” said Bill “Doc” Shoemaker, chief test pilot for Boom Supersonic. “I look forward to flying the XB-1 here, building on the achievements of other talented engineers and pilots who inspire us every day to make supersonic travel mainstream.”
The XB-1 has a carbon composite and titanium fuselage that is 71 feet long. Its ogive (modified delta) wing allows for safe takeoff and landing as well as supersonic operations. The three General Electric J85 engines powering the XB-1 produce a combined thrust of 12,300 pounds (lbf).
A supersonic demonstration plane rolled out of the Boom hangar Centennial, Colorado in in 2020 October month. Rigorous testing of all internal subsystems of the XB-1 has since been completed. The XB-1 was also fitted with improved undercarriage and supersonic engine intakes for increased performance and safety.
Development of the XB-1 validated Boom’s approach to aircraft design and allowed engineers to utilize advanced tools such as computational fluid dynamics (CFD), which are critical components of the Overture’s development. Overture is Boom’s sustainable supersonic jet that will fly at Mach 1.7, or about twice as fast as today’s fastest jets, and is designed to run on 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
To view the latest XB-1 taxi tests, visit Boom Supersonic YouTube Channel.
For more information on the XB-1, visit: https://boomsupersonic.com/xb-1
About Boom Supersonic
Boom Supersonic is revolutionizing air travel with the Overture, the world’s fastest plane optimized for speed, safety and sustainability. Serving both civilian and government markets, the Overture will fly at twice the speed of today’s airplanes and is designed to run on 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The company has entered into SAF sales agreements with Dimensional Energy and AIR COMPANY, resulting in a combined $10 million annual increase in Overture’s net carbon emissions testing program. gallons of SAF. Overture’s order book, including orders and pre-orders from American Airlines, United Airlines and Japan Airlines, totals 130 aircraft. Boom is partnering with Northrop Grumman to develop Overture applications for governments and defense. Suppliers and partners working with Boom on the Overture program include Aernnova, Leonardo, Aciturri, Safran Landing Systems, EatonCollins Aerospace and the United States Air Force.
Symphony™ is the propulsion system that will power Overture, a Boom-led collaboration with world-class partners including Florida Turbine Technologies (FTT), Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. business unit, GE Additive and StandardAero. For more information, please visit https://boomsupersonic.com.
Photos and videos can be found at https://boomsupersonic.com/newsroom/media-assets
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