Mojave Desert, California – In a landmark achievement for aviation history, Boom Supersonic's XB-1 demonstrator aircraft soared through the skies above the Mojave Desert, successfully breaking the sound barrier. This milestone marks the first time a privately developed civil aircraft has achieved supersonic flight, igniting hopes for a resurgence of commercial supersonic travel.
The XB-1, a sleek, one-third scale prototype of Boom's envisioned 64-passenger airliner, Overture, reached Mach 1.1 during its twelfth test flight, maintaining supersonic speed for approximately four minutes. Test pilot Tristan Brandenburg expertly guided the aircraft through multiple supersonic runs before safely returning to the Mojave Air & Space Port.
This momentous occasion comes eight years after Boom Supersonic unveiled the XB-1, a testament to the company's unwavering commitment to revolutionizing air travel. While the XB-1 serves as a crucial stepping stone, the ultimate goal is the development and deployment of Overture, a commercial airliner poised to slash travel times and reconnect the world through faster, more efficient flight.
Boom CEO Blake Scholl expressed his excitement and acknowledged the challenges ahead. "Much work remains to scale up to Overture," Scholl stated, emphasizing the focus on upcoming milestones, including the first engine test for Overture, slated for later this year.
Despite the hurdles that lie ahead, Overture has already garnered significant interest from major airlines. American Airlines and Japan Airlines have placed orders for the proposed supersonic aircraft, signaling a strong market demand for faster air travel.
Brandenburg's successful landing of the XB-1 just before noon ET was met with jubilation. Boom Supersonic anticipates conducting further supersonic test flights in the coming weeks, continuing to gather critical data and refine the technology.
Scholl likened the XB-1's achievement to SpaceX's Falcon 1 reaching orbit in 2008, a pivotal moment that paved the way for the private space industry. "This is supersonic flight's 'Falcon 1' moment," Scholl declared, underscoring the transformative potential of this accomplishment.
Adding to the significance of the event, Scholl noted that "XB-1's supersonic flight marks the first time a supersonic jet has come from something other than a nation-state." This distinction highlights the pioneering spirit of Boom Supersonic and its role in democratizing access to supersonic technology. The Concorde, the last commercial supersonic aircraft, was a joint venture between the British and French governments.
In a recent interview with TechCrunch editor-in-chief Connie Loizos for the StrictlyVC Download podcast, Scholl emphasized the need for renewed entrepreneurship in commercial aviation. "I think the thing we need is a rebirth of entrepreneurship in commercial aviation," he said. "We need more Booms, frankly. We need more companies with great ideas finding new ways to push the envelope.”
Boom Supersonic stands as a leading force in the pursuit of commercial supersonic flight, although several other companies are exploring the field. Many of these ventures focus on defense applications, while Boom remains dedicated to passenger travel. The recent closure of Exosonic, a competitor in the commercial supersonic space, underscores the challenges of this ambitious endeavor.
Scholl acknowledged the relative solitude of Boom's position, stating that being the primary startup focused on commercial supersonic aircraft has been "honestly a little lonely." Nevertheless, he expressed satisfaction with the company's focus on commercial applications rather than military ones.
While acknowledging the importance of defense-related aerospace innovation, Scholl emphasized the distinct nature of developing commercial supersonic aircraft. "I'm glad there are weapons startups, they should definitely exist," Scholl said. "But if you're building, you know, effectively a hypersonic weapon, it's extremely different from something that you and I are going to get to fly on, and that's really a very distinct effort that I think really deserves to exist.”
Boom Supersonic is engaged in some work with the U.S. Air Force, but Scholl reiterated that the company's primary objective is to bring supersonic passenger travel back to the forefront of aviation.
"This is about American jobs, this is about American leadership in aviation, this is about building the future, this is about improving human connectivity across cultures," Scholl asserted. "I think there's frankly a lot for everybody to get excited about here.”
The successful supersonic flight of the XB-1 represents a major leap forward in the quest to make supersonic commercial travel a reality. Boom Supersonic's achievement not only demonstrates the viability of privately developed supersonic technology but also signals the potential for a new era of faster, more connected global travel. As the company progresses toward the development and deployment of Overture, the aviation world watches with anticipation, eager to witness the return of supersonic passenger flight.
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