Boom Supersonic XB-1 Achieves Mach 1.122 in Historic Supersonic Flight

Mojave, California – Boom Supersonic's XB-1 demonstrator aircraft successfully completed its first supersonic flight on January 28, 2025, reaching a speed of Mach 1.122 (approximately 750 mph) at an altitude of 35,290 feet. This landmark achievement, occurring over California's Mojave Desert, marks the first time an independently developed civil jet has broken the sound barrier over the continental United States. Boom Supersonic CEO Blake Scholl, in a recent social media post, succinctly celebrated the company's ongoing progress, stating, "Live supersonic 💪."

The XB-1's initial supersonic flight, piloted by Chief Test Pilot Tristan "Geppetto" Brandenburg, lasted 34 minutes and validated critical technologies for future commercial supersonic travel. Following this, the aircraft performed a second and final supersonic flight on February 10, 2025, concluding its test program. This success is a significant step towards the return of supersonic passenger flight, a capability absent since the Concorde's retirement over two decades ago.

Blake Scholl emphasized the monumental nature of the achievement, likening it to SpaceX's "Falcon 1 moment" for reusable rockets. He highlighted that the XB-1's supersonic capability demonstrates that the technology for passenger supersonic flight has arrived, achieved by a dedicated team without government or military funding. The XB-1 serves as a one-third-scale prototype for Boom's planned Overture commercial airliner, showcasing key features like carbon fiber composites and digital stability augmentation.

The XB-1's test program systematically expanded the flight envelope through subsonic, transonic, and supersonic speeds, providing invaluable data for the development of Overture. This larger supersonic jet is designed to carry 64 to 80 passengers at Mach 1.7, potentially halving flight times on many transoceanic routes. Boom Supersonic aims to begin Overture production at its Greensboro, North Carolina facility by late 2024, with test flights slated for 2027 and commercial operations projected for 2029.

The company is also progressing with its proprietary 'Symphony' engine, with core tests anticipated later in 2025. This engine is crucial for Overture's economic and environmental performance, promising a more efficient and sustainable supersonic travel experience. The successful XB-1 flights and ongoing development underscore Boom Supersonic's ambition to revolutionize air travel and make supersonic flight accessible to a broader market.