Boom Supersonic's XB-1 Jet Sets New Speed Record, Nears Supersonic Milestone in Latest Test Flight

In an exciting milestone for the future of high-speed travel, Boom Supersonic's XB-1 jet has set a new speed record during its seventh test flight, pushing closer to its goal of breaking the sound barrier. This sleek and ambitious supersonic demonstrator achieved a top speed of 629 mph (1,012 kph), equivalent to Mach 0.82, during a 55-minute flight on November 5. The Colorado-based company is testing the XB-1 to ultimately lay the groundwork for Overture, their upcoming supersonic airliner designed to cut flight times in half for commercial passengers.

The latest test flight, part of a structured 10-flight subsonic program, saw the XB-1 soar to a new altitude record of 23,015 feet (7,015 meters). This altitude marks the aircraft’s preparation phase as it gears up to reach the supersonic threshold of Mach 1, a feat anticipated in upcoming flights.

Throughout the November 5 test, Boom’s engineers were focused on critical performance measures. For instance, the flight team ran a series of flutter envelope expansion tests — checks that are crucial for the structural integrity of high-speed aircraft. These tests are designed to observe how the air pressure and movement impact the aircraft structure, ensuring that at increased speeds, no unintended vibrations or oscillations will compromise safety. Tests were executed at speeds of Mach 0.7, 0.75, and 0.8, confirming that the XB-1’s aerodynamic design is ready for even greater speeds.

A central achievement in this flight was the cockpit pressure test, which the XB-1 passed successfully. This final check at maximum pressure differential confirmed the cockpit’s resilience, showing it can handle the stress of pressurization at altitudes up to 30,000 feet. This is critical since, at higher altitudes and near-supersonic speeds, the stress on the cockpit and fuselage will intensify. With these successful results, the XB-1 has effectively demonstrated it’s capable of advancing to the next level of altitude and speed.

Since its maiden flight in March, XB-1 has made steady progress, with each of its test flights moving Boom closer to achieving safe, efficient supersonic travel. This milestone of Mach 0.82 eclipses its previous record of Mach 0.69, demonstrating rapid development within a few short months. The upcoming three flights in the test program will further assess XB-1’s handling and performance as the team prepares to push beyond Mach 1, marking the transition into supersonic speed.

The XB-1's success is essential for Boom Supersonic’s larger vision — the Overture, a passenger aircraft designed to travel at speeds up to Mach 1.7, dramatically reducing travel time on long-haul routes. Overture is expected to fly passengers from New York to London in just three and a half hours, and from San Francisco to Tokyo in six hours, making supersonic travel an exciting and viable option for commercial airlines. Using XB-1 as a testbed, Boom can refine their designs to make Overture both efficient and safe at speeds well beyond what traditional airliners achieve today.

With XB-1’s successful record-breaking flight and its safe handling confirmed under test conditions, Boom Supersonic is poised to reshape air travel, offering a sustainable, fast, and efficient future for passengers worldwide. This seventh flight not only sets a record but signals the near-future breakthrough of supersonic speeds, taking us one step closer to a new era in aviation.