Boom Supersonic has been granted a new license by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to fly their XB-1 supersonic jet at speeds of Mach 1 and beyond. Based in Colorado, the company is now authorized to conduct test flights with their aircraft over the Black Mountain Supersonic Corridor in Mojave, California.
The XB-1 aircraft completed its first flight on March 22, 2024 from the Mojave Spaceport. Currently, it is capable of flying supersonic at Boom’s complex in California. The next phase of flight testing will occur within the Black Mountain Supersonic Corridor and parts of the nearby High Altitude Supersonic Corridor, known for military hypersonics and research activities.
During the last flight, operators were able to monitor and track the XB-1 for safety purposes. Now, they are preparing for a second flight to test the aircraft’s landing gear and other hardware. Boom plans to extend the range of the XB-1 before flying at supersonic speeds to evaluate performance and handling throughout the journey to Mach 1 and beyond.
According to Boom Supersonic CEO Blake Scholl, the XB-1 is set to fly at speeds of Mach 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3 in the first three flights. This milestone represents a significant step forward in the development of supersonic travel and showcases the company’s commitment to advancing aviation technology.