The prototype of the supersonic airliner Boom Supersonic XB-1 updated the speed record

On October 7, 2024, the Boom XB-1 supersonic jet demonstrator made its fifth test flight from Mojave Air Force Base, setting several new records in the process. Boom XB-1 is a platform for testing the systems of the future Overture aircraft, which is one third the size of the final version. The ultimate goal of the project is the return of commercial supersonic civil aviation, which ceased to exist 20 years ago.

The prototype is in the air. Image source: Boom

The Supersonic XB-1 prototype was cleared for test flights in the spring of 2024. The program provides for 20 flights at subsonic speed, the fifth of which the aircraft completed recently. In the air, the XB-1 with a test pilot accelerated to a new speed ceiling – 791 km/h. A record for lift height was also set, amounting to 5425 m. During the 50-minute flight, the aircraft was artificially introduced into vibration mode, so that when supersonic speeds were reached, the insufficient strength of the hull would not come as a surprise.

The ability of the future supersonic aircraft Boom Overture for 60–80 passengers to feel confident at subsonic speeds will solve two problems of supersonic civil aviation – the sound of thunder when breaking the sound barrier, which is unacceptable for flights over populated areas, as well as the need for ultra-long runways. At cruising speed the aircraft will accelerate to Mach 1.7.

Artistic representation of the Boom Overture supersonic aircraft

Let us add that testing the Supersonic XB-1 is actually a test of the airframe. The prototype is equipped with a standard or slightly modified GE J85-15 turbojet engine. The company is developing its own engine for Overture, a difficult task even for industry giants. Therefore, the future of the project is still in question, although we must give it its due – it is developing and following the plan.

admin

Share
Published by
admin

Recent Posts

Intel’s shipments of desktop processors fell by 26%, while AMD’s increased

The quarterly reports of Intel and AMD on Form 10-Q contain summarized information about the…

52 mins ago

PlayStation 5 Pro goes on sale – reviews call it too expensive compared to the regular PS5

Sales of the PlayStation 5 Pro game console began today. Leading media outlets shared their…

1 hour ago

Hubble reveals supernova in bright image of galaxy NGC 1672

The Hubble Space Telescope has sent back an image of a distant spiral galaxy -…

1 hour ago

Scientists using wood have found a way to extract energy from the heat of the human body

An international group of scientists has identified ways to generate electricity from the heat of…

1 hour ago

Suitcase without a handle: France does not rule out saving Atos through nationalization

Atos announced that it had signed an agreement with ALTEN SA to sell its business…

2 hours ago

Xiaomi has loaded the electric vehicle pipeline by 200%, but this is not enough to meet the demand for SU7

The new Xiaomi product, the SU7 sports car, which entered the Chinese electric vehicle market…

4 hours ago