Boom’s XB-1 supersonic demonstrator aircraft successfully completed its second test flight at the Mojave Air & Space Port in Mojave, California, this week. Chief test pilot Tristan “Geppetto” Brandenburg was at the controls for the flight, which involved the retraction and extension of the landing gear for the first time.
During the flight, tufting was applied to the right wing to verify aerodynamic characteristics. This flight also demonstrated the new digital stability augmentation system, or roll damper, which was added based on lessons learned from the first flight. The initial flight occurred in March, when the aircraft reached an altitude of 7,120 feet and a speed of 238 knots. Boom is targeting its first supersonic flight this year.
“Successful completion of XB-1’s second flight is yet another milestone in a year that has moved Boom closer than ever to delivering supersonic flight to the world,” said Blake Scholl, founder and CEO of Boom Supersonic. “I am proud of the team for their work to address refinements to XB-1 following its first flight, and we continue to target breaking the sound barrier by the end of this year.”