By Olawale Abaire, Warrior Editorial Fellow
The aviation industry is at a point of revolution, with the Boom Supersonic’s XB-1 test plane receiving the green light from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to exceed Mach 1 during test flights.
The XB-1, a sleek, delta-shaped aircraft, took its maiden flight on March 22, 2024, from the Mojave Air & Space Port. The XB-1 is a technology demonstrator designed to pave the way for Boom’s full-scale Mach 1.7 Overture airliner. The aircraft is configured with three afterburning General Electric J85-15s.
The XB-1, often referred to as the “Baby Boom”, is a one-third scale prototype of the Overture, Boom’s envisioned supersonic commercial airliner. The aircraft is constructed with composite materials of carbon fiber, advanced avionics, digitally optimized aerodynamics, and an advanced supersonic propulsion system.
The XB-1, with its fuselage made of carbon composite and titanium, boasts an ogive wing, a modified delta design, that ensures safe maneuvers during take-off, landing, and even at supersonic velocities. Its propulsion is provided by three J85 engines from General Electric, capable of generating a total maximum thrust of 12,300 pounds of force (lbf).
The FAA’s approval is a first-of-its-kind, allowing the XB-1 to break the sound barrier during its test flights. This is what the FAA has termed “a major federal action,”. Blake Scholl, founder and CEO of Boom Supersonic, expressed his anticipation for the XB-1’s first supersonic endeavor, acknowledging the FAA’s crucial role in facilitating this technological advancement.
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The test program for the XB-1 is rigorously planned, with the jet’s performance and handling abilities to be thoroughly vetted through a series of progressively faster test flights. Boom Supersonic plans to conduct a series of test flights, gradually escalating the speed. Each speed test is designed to maximize use of available airspace and provide essential data on the aircraft’s flying and handling qualities before returning to base.
The FAA’s approval is a significant step forward for supersonic travel. It not only validates the technical prowess of the XB-1 but also sets a precedent for future supersonic aircraft. The success of the XB-1 could potentially usher in a new era of faster-than-sound travel, drastically reducing flight times and making the world a smaller place.
However, it’s important to note that the journey is far from over. The next phase of test flights will play out inside the Black Mountain Supersonic Corridor, as well as a segment of the nearby High Altitude Supersonic Corridor within the designated R-2515 airspace. These tests is important in determining the XB-1’s performance and reliability at supersonic speeds.
The FAA’s approval of Boom’s XB-1 for supersonic test flights is a landmark moment in aviation history. The success of the XB-1’s upcoming test flights will be a critical factor in determining the future of supersonic travel. As we stand on the brink of a new era, the world watches with bated breath.
OLAWALE ABAIRE is a Warrior researcher, writer and analyst who has written many published nonfiction books
