Boom Supersonic continues to expand the flight profile and test capabilities of its XB-1 supersonic demonstrator, completing a fifth test flight on October 7 at the Mojave Air & Space Port in California. The flight is the third for the demonstrator in three weeks as Boom ramps up the test program with the goal of reaching Mach 1 before year-end.
Powered by three GE J85 engines producing a combined thrust of 12,300 pounds, the 71-ft-long, two-seat demonstrator first flew on March 22 and notched its second flight on August 26.
Plans call for 10 subsonic test flights before it is to break the sound barrier in upcoming months. In the most recent flight, Boom tested the flutter excitation system, which had been repaired and reinstalled for data collection at the Mach 0.6 flutter point. With chief test pilot Tristan “Geppetto” Brandenburg at the controls, the aircraft underwent flying and handling quality checks at progressively higher test speeds, reaching its fastest speed thus far of Mach 0.69. XB-1 reached 17,800 feet during the 50-minute flight.
The XB-1 program will prove out technologies for Boom’s ambitions to build a 64- to 80-seat supersonic airliner that flies at Mach 1.7. Boom anticipates rolling out the Overture in 2026 with first flight following in 2027 and certification by the end of the decade.