Boom Supersonic has successfully completed a test flight of a civil aircraft, breaking the sound barrier three times. The XB-1 prototype is part of the development of a hypersonic aircraft referred to as Overture.
Concorde's successor is rapidly taking shape. Concorde ceased commercial flights in 2003. Since then, no civil aircraft has carried passengers beyond the speed of sound (Mach 1 - 1240km/h in air). Boom Supersonic plans to take over this role by 2030. To achieve this, the American company has designed Overture, an airplane with a design similar to the Franco-British Concorde. Prior to this, the company has conducted further testing. Its XB-1 prototype, resembling a hybrid of a fighter jet and a private jet, cleared the sound barrier test. Specifically, it did so 3 times on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, in the Mojave Desert in California, USA at an altitude of 35,290 feet (10,700 m).
Twice as fast
This looks positive for Overture. Its manufacturer has announced that 130 orders have been already signed by major airlines. Overture will be able to fly 64 to 80 passengers at a Mach 1.7 speed, which is twice as fast as the current commercial flights. This will make traveling between New York and London possible in 3h30. It's worth noting that Concorde achieved this in less than 3 hours at a Mach 2 speed! However, the technology used should enable the development of a more fuel-efficient, lighter, and aerodynamic aircraft. The XB-1 is built from carbon-fiber composites. During its 34-minute test flight, it monitored airflow to test a method for reducing supersonic air by converting kinetic energy into pressure energy.
Air travel reaching Mach 2.2 by 2029 through supersonic aircraft (MH with Olivier Duquesne - Source: Le Soir, Avianews, Boom Supersonic - Picture: Boom Supersonic, the American firm behind Overture).
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