On November 5, 2024, the Boom Supersonic team reached a new milestone with the seventh test flight of the XB-1 , its supersonic demonstration aircraft. Under the guidance of Chief Test Pilot Tristan “Geppetto” Brandenburg, the XB-1 flew for 55 minutes, reaching a top speed of Mach 0.82, or 499 knots true airspeed.
XB-1 Test Program
Since the XB-1’s historic first flight on March 22, 2024, the test program has progressed steadily. The second flight took place on August 26, followed by the third flight on September 13. The fourth flight on September 21 and the fifth flight on October 7 helped validate the aircraft’s stability and control capabilities . Then, the sixth flight on October 25 further increased the XB-1’s capabilities, setting the stage for this seventh test.
XB-1 Flight 5 in March 2024. Source: Boom Supersonic
Advanced technology and altitude testing
On this seventh flight, the team increased the aircraft’s operating altitude to 23,015 feet and also performed a vital cabin pressurization test. This evaluation confirmed the safety of the maximum pressure differential, an essential factor for high-altitude flights that will keep the pilot protected.
Tests of the flutter excitation system (FES) were conducted at speeds of Mach 0.7, 0.75 and 0.8 . These tests were critical to ensuring safe and predictable handling, even when approaching transonic speeds.
The XB-1 program, which lays the foundation for the development of the Overture supersonic commercial airliner , utilizes advanced technology such as digital aerodynamics and carbon fiber composites. The aircraft continues to advance, with each flight bringing Boom Supersonic closer to the promise of more efficient and safer supersonic air transport.
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Source and photo: Boom Supersonic