Boom’s XB-1 supersonic demonstration aircraft successfully completed its second flight on August 26, demonstrating significant progress in its development. This milestone follows the aircraft’s successful maiden flight in March.
During the latest test, the XB-1 team successfully extended and retracted the landing gear for the first time, a standard procedure during second test flights. The team also evaluated the aircraft’s flight characteristics and activated a new digital stability enhancement system, called a roll damper, to improve performance based on lessons learned during the first flight.
To assess the aircraft’s aerodynamic characteristics, the right wing was tufted to observe airflow patterns. The XB-1 flew for about 15 minutes, reaching an altitude of 10,400 feet and a speed of 232 knots.
Following these two successful flights, Boom will now begin expanding the flight envelope to confirm the XB-1’s performance and handling qualities at Mach 1 and beyond. This will include in-flight system checks and multiple test points to ensure safe tolerances for flutter. The team plans to conduct about 10 flights before reaching supersonic speeds later this year.
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