Boom Supersonic Aims to Break Sound Barrier in Historic Test Flight

MOJAVE, Calif. — Boom Supersonic is poised to make aviation history today as its XB-1 demonstrator aircraft attempts to break the sound barrier during its 12th test flight. The Colorado-based company plans to achieve supersonic speeds, marking a significant milestone in its quest to revive commercial supersonic travel.

The XB-1 is scheduled to lift off from the Mojave Air & Space Port in California at approximately 11:00 a.m. EST (1600 GMT). If successful, the piloted aircraft will exceed Mach 1, the speed of sound, about 25 minutes after takeoff. Boom will livestream the event, with coverage beginning at 10:45 a.m. EST (1545 GMT).

The XB-1, a subscale prototype, serves as a technological testbed for Boom’s planned commercial supersonic jet, Overture. Designed to carry 64 passengers, Overture aims to become the first supersonic passenger aircraft since the Concorde was retired in 2003. Boom has conducted 11 test flights to date, with each mission pushing the aircraft closer to supersonic speeds.

During its most recent flight on Jan. 10, the XB-1 reached Mach 0.95, just shy of the sound barrier, at an altitude of 29,481 feet (8,986 meters). This test demonstrated the aircraft’s ability to handle high dynamic air pressure, a critical step toward supersonic flight. “The second half of our test campaign is all about expanding XB-1’s envelope incrementally in altitude, air speed, and Mach number until we inevitably make that sonic boom,” said Ryan Nolander, chief flight test engineer for the XB-1 at Boom Supersonic.

Boom Founder and CEO Blake Scholl likened today’s mission to SpaceX‘s Falcon 1 moment, referencing the company’s first successful rocket launch in 2008. “It will still be a few years before we welcome the return of the first supersonic passenger. Success is far from guaranteed. Yet, there’s more reason than ever to be excited and optimistic,” Scholl wrote in a statement.

The XB-1’s test flights are a precursor to the development of Overture, which Boom hopes to launch in the 2030s. The commercial jet is expected to reduce transatlantic flight times significantly, with a journey from London to Newark taking just 3 hours and 30 minutes.

Today’s livestream will feature real-time footage from a chase aircraft equipped with SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service. “We’re livestreaming the flight from our chase aircraft, a Northrop T-38. We’ve installed a Starlink Mini antenna in the T-38 so everyone can see the flight in real-time,” Boom stated.

If successful, the test flight will mark a pivotal moment in aviation history, bringing the dream of supersonic passenger travel one step closer to reality.