A US-based company Boom Supersonic has brought back the thrill of supersonic travel with its XB-1 prototype jet.
During a historic test flight over California’s Mojave Desert, the jet shattered the sound barrier two times.
This marks the first civilian aircraft to achieve such speeds since the Concorde retired in 2003.
Jet Repeatedly Broke The Sound Barrier
The XB-1, piloted by Boom Supersonic’s chief test pilot Tristan “Geppetto” Brandenburg, soared to 35,000 feet before hitting Mach 1.1 (844 mph), 10% faster than the speed of sound.
And it wasn’t a one-time wonder—the jet repeated the feat twice more during the flight, which was live-streamed for eager spectators.
This is Just The Beginning
Denver-based Boom Supersonic hopes this success is just the beginning.
The XB-1 is a precursor to their ambitious Overture.
It is a supersonic commercial airliner designed to seat 64–80 passengers and travel at Mach 1.7—double the speed of today’s subsonic jets.
