Boom Supersonic makes history with XB-1’s inaugural flight

Mar 25, 2024

Lauren Taylor Reporter

By Lauren Taylor (Reporter), Jake Maslo (Video Editor)

This report was created with support from enhanced software.

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Boom Supersonic achieved an historic milestone Friday, March 22, as its prototype aircraft, the XB-1, took its inaugural flight, signaling a significant leap forward in reintroducing commercial supersonic aviation. The XB-1 flew over the Mojave Desert, reaching a maximum altitude of 7,120 feet and a top speed of 283 mph before landing safely after a 12-minute flight.

According to Boom CEO Blake Scholl, the company aims to conduct approximately 15 test flights this year, with the ultimate goal of constructing and launching “Overture” — the first supersonic commercial aircraft since the Concorde.

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Boom has forged partnerships with major airlines such as American Airlines and United, as well as collaborations with Florida Turbine Technologies and GE Additive.

The aviation startup is pushing forward with its own engine development for Overture, promising engines three times more powerful than those of the XB-1.

However, achieving the goal of supersonic commercial flights by 2030 presents financial challenges for the company. Boom hopes to raise over $8 billion to develop Overture, with the XB-1 serving as a primary fundraising tool.

Boom anticipates regulatory hurdles, as current restrictions limit sonic booms over land.

Sustainability remains a critical concern, given the increased fuel consumption associated with supersonic travel, exacerbating environmental impacts. Scholl said that Boom is exploring sustainable aviation fuel to mitigate these effects.

As XB-1 undergoes further testing, Boom is ahead of schedule in constructing its “super factory” in Greensboro, North Carolina, where Overture will be produced.

Tags: American Airlines, United Airlines

[LAUREN TAYLOR]

BOOM SUPERSONIC MADE HISTORY – AS ITS PROTOTYPE AIRCRAFT, THE XB-1 – TOOK ITS INAUGURAL FLIGHT, MARKING A SIGNIFICANT STRIDE TOWARD REINTRODUCING COMMERCIAL SUPERSONIC AVIATION.

THE XB-1 SOARED OVER THE MOJAVE DESERT – ACHIEVING A MAXIMUM ALTITUDE OF 7,120 FEET AND A TOP SPEED OF 283 MPH – LANDING SAFELY AFTER A 12-MINUTE FLIGHT.

BOOM’S CEO SAYS THEY’RE AIMING TO RUN ABOUT 15 TEST FLIGHTS THIS YEAR – IN HOPES OF EVENTUALLY CONSTRUCTING AND LAUNCHING “OVERTURE” — THE FIRST SUPERSONIC COMMERCIAL AIRCRAFT SINCE THE CONCORDE.

BOOM HAS SECURED PARTNERSHIPS WITH MAJOR AIRLINES LIKE AMERICAN AND UNITED, ALONGSIDE COLLABORATIONS WITH FLORIDA TURBINE TECHNOLOGIES AND GE ADDITIVE.

THE AVIATION STARTUP IS FORGING AHEAD WITH ITS OWN ENGINE DEVELOPMENT FOR OVERTURE – PROMISING THREE TIMES THE POWER OF THE XB-1’S ENGINES.

IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE THE GOAL OF SUPERSONIC COMMERCIAL FLIGHTS BY 2030 – THE COMPANY SAYS IT COMES WITH FINANCIAL CHALLENGES. BOOM HOPES TO RAISE MORE THAN $8 BILLION TO DEVELOP OVERTURE AND XB1 SERVES AS MAIN FUNDRAISING TOOL

BOOM WILL FACE REGULATORY HURDLES – AS THERE ARE CURRENT RESTRICTIONS ON SONIC BOOMS OVER LAND.

SUSTAINABILITY ALSO REMAINS A KEY CONCERN AS SUPERSONIC TRAVEL USES MORE FUEL, EXACERBATING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS. THE CEO SAYS BOOM IS EXPLORING SUSTAINABLE AVIATION FUEL TO MITIGATE THIS.

AS XB-1 UNDERGOES FURTHER TESTING, BOOM IS PRESSING ON WITH ITS GREENSBORO, North Carolina “SUPERFACTORY,” AHEAD OF SCHEDULE.

IT’S WHERE THE OVERTURE IS SET TO BE CONSTRUCTED IN THE FUTURE.