Boom Supersonic's XB-1 Jet Breaks Sound Barrier, Reviving High-Speed Travel

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In a significant milestone for the aerospace industry, Boom Supersonic's XB-1 prototype jet has successfully broken the sound barrier during a test flight over the Mojave Desert in California. On Tuesday, the aircraft reached speeds of Mach 1.1, approximately 845 mph, at an altitude of about 10,700 meters, making it the first commercial venture to achieve supersonic speeds since the retirement of the Concorde in 2003.

Tristan "Geppetto" Brandenburg, Boom's chief test pilot, expressed enthusiasm after the flight, stating, "She was real happy supersonic... That's the best she's ever flown." This test marks the completion of 12 successful flights of the XB-1, which serves as a precursor to Boom's proposed commercial airliner, named Overture. The Overture is designed to carry 64-80 passengers across transatlantic routes in about 3.5 hours, halving the current travel time.

Boom Supersonic has garnered significant interest, with 130 preorders from major airlines, including American Airlines, United Airlines, and Japan Airlines. The company operates a factory in North Carolina, where it plans to produce 66 Overture aircraft annually.

While aiming for speeds up to Mach 1.7, the aircraft is expected to utilize "up to 100% sustainable" aviation fuel, which, although less polluting than traditional jet fuels, still generates greenhouse gas emissions. The success of the XB-1 marks a hopeful return to faster-than-sound travel, as Boom Supersonic seeks to address the economic challenges faced by previous supersonic models.

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