The prototype of the supersonic airliner Boom Supersonic XB-1 first overcame the speed of sound

January 28, 2025 at 09:04 local time, the prototype of the supersonic liner Boom Supersonic XB-1 first overcame the speed of sound, becoming the first American supersonic civilian aircraft. The prototype with a test pilot on board for four minutes kept a speed of 1.1 Mach, overcoming this mark twice before landing.

Supersonic XB-1 prototype in the air. Source of images: Boom

Until this moment, only two civilian aircraft overcome the speed of sound-these are the Franco-British Concords and the Soviet Tu-144. Boom intends to create supersonic civil aviation in the United States and, interestingly, it actually has no competitors.

Supersonic XB-1 prototype test flights began in the spring of 2024. On the border of the supersonic, the plane reached January 10, 2025. After analyzing the collected data, the tester-test was permitted to overcome the sound barrier during the next departure, which was successfully completed.

The ultimate goal of BOOM is to create a 64-seater supersonic Overture aircraft. He will fly at a speed of 1.7 makha. The aircraft should be quiet enough when overcoming the sound barrier and when moving at supersonic speed, so that it is allowed to fly over the populated territory (the “Concords” and the Tu-144 had problems with this).

Visualization of the 64-seater supersonic liner “Okutura”

By the end of the year, Boom promises for the first time to launch Overture jet engines. The prototype flies on a serial or slightly modified GE J85-15 engine. For the airliner, the company develops engines on its own. Aviation companies refused to do this work. BOOM has some joint projects with the Pentagon, but the Obtura project outside of any military contracts.

«We are talking about American workplaces, about American leadership in aviation, about building the future, about improving the interaction of people of different cultures, ”said the head of the company, commenting on the first flight of the prototype at supersonic speed. “Honestly, I think there is something to rejoice here.”