On August 26, Boom’s XB-1 supersonic demonstration aircraft successfully completed its second flight at the Mojave Air & Space Port in Mojave, California. The first flight was successfully completed in March 2024.
XB-1 continues its flight test program and aims to achieve supersonic flight by year-end. The XB-1 program will provide the foundation for the design and development of Overture, Boom’s supersonic passenger aircraft, while establishing a safety-first culture.
During the second flight, the XB-1’s landing gear was successfully extended and retracted for the first time, which is typical for second test flights. Other goals of this flight test were for the XB-1 team to evaluate the aircraft’s flight characteristics and to activate a new digital stability enhancement system – a roll damper – for the first time. This roll damper was implemented to improve flight characteristics based on the lessons learned from the first flight.
In addition, the right wing of the XB-1 was tufted to observe and evaluate the direction and strength of airflow over the wing to check its aerodynamic properties. The XB-1 flew for about 15 minutes, reaching an altitude of 10,400 feet and a speed of 232 knots (277 miles per hour).
“XB-1 had a fantastic second flight this morning. Early results show that we have successfully resolved the issues from Flight One and we look forward to continuing flight testing on the path to supersonic flight,” said Blake Scholl, founder and CEO of Boom Supersonic. “I am proud of the team. Today’s flight is another step toward the return of supersonic passenger travel.”
This was the first flight in the XB-1 for Boom chief test pilot Tristan “Geppetto” Brandenburg, who flew the T-38 escort aircraft for the XB-1’s maiden flight. Brandenburg is the pilot who will be at the controls for the remainder of the test program, including when the XB-1 makes its first supersonic flight.
With XB-1 having successfully completed its first two flights, the team will now begin systematically extending the flight envelope to confirm its performance and handling qualities at Mach 1 and beyond. This will include in-flight checks of all systems, as well as several test points demonstrating the safety margin up to the flutter (or aeroelastic vibration) limit. The sequence of test flights will increase in this next phase of testing, with approximately 10 flights planned before reaching supersonic speeds.
XB-1 forms the basis for the design and development of Overture, Boom’s supersonic passenger aircraft. XB-1 uses cutting-edge technologies to enable efficient supersonic flight, including digitally optimized aerodynamics, carbon fiber composites, advanced supersonic engine inlets, and an augmented reality vision system for visibility during takeoff and landing.
