Boom Supersonic has reached a major milestone in aviation history with the first supersonic flight of its XB-1 demonstrator aircraft. The flight took place at the Mojave Air & Space Port, marking a significant step toward the development of the Overture, the world’s fastest commercial airliner.
Flown by Boom Chief Test Pilot Tristan “Geppetto” Brandenburg, XB-1 reached an altitude of 35,290 feet before accelerating to Mach 1.122 (750 mph), officially breaking the sound barrier. This achievement makes XB-1 the first independently developed supersonic jet to accomplish such a feat, a domain historically dominated by government and military programs.
“XB-1’s supersonic flight demonstrates that the technology for passenger supersonic flight has arrived. A small band of talented and dedicated engineers has accomplished what previously took governments and billions of dollars. Next, we are scaling up the technology on XB-1 for the Overture supersonic airliner. Our ultimate goal is to bring the benefits of supersonic flight to everyone,” according to Boom Supersonic founder and CEO Blake Scholl.
Advancing Supersonic Technology
XB-1, the first supersonic aircraft built using airliner technology, incorporates key innovations that will be used in Overture, including:
- Augmented Reality Vision System – Enhances landing visibility without the need for a moveable nose, unlike the Concorde.
- Digitally Optimized Aerodynamics – Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations refined XB-1’s design for efficiency at supersonic speeds.
- Carbon Fiber Composites – A lightweight yet strong structure improves aerodynamics and fuel efficiency.
- Supersonic Intakes – Specialized engine intakes optimize airflow for conventional jet engines at supersonic speeds.
Following its inaugural flight in March 2024, XB-1 underwent 11 rigorous test flights to assess its systems and aerodynamics. This first supersonic flight is a key step toward Boom’s ultimate goal — bringing commercial supersonic travel back to the skies for the first time since Concorde’s retirement.
Overture: The Future of Supersonic Air Travel
Boom Supersonic is now shifting focus to Overture, designed to fly at Mach 1.7 — twice the speed of current airliners — on over 600 global routes. With seating for 64-80 passengers, Overture aims to revolutionize air travel with high-speed connectivity.
The company has secured 130 orders and pre-orders from major airlines, including American Airlines, United Airlines, and Japan Airlines. In 2024, Boom completed the construction of the Overture Superfactory in Greensboro, North Carolina, which will produce up to 66 aircraft per year. The Overture program is designed for sustainability, running on up to 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
With XB-1 proving the viability of Boom’s technology, the company is now on track to bring supersonic travel back to commercial aviation, making faster, more efficient global travel a reality.