Boom’s XB-1 supersonic jet is empowered to break the speed of sound

Boom’s XB-1 supersonic test aircraft has received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to fly above Mach 1, the company announced. Tests are scheduled to take place later this year at the Black Mountain Supersonic Corridor in Mojave, California, and the results could help prove the design’s feasibility in areas such as fuel consumption, speeds and flight characteristics.

“Following the successful first flight of the XB-1, I look forward to its historic first supersonic flight,” said Boom Supersonic Founder and CEO Blake Scholl. “We thank the FAA for supporting innovation and allowing the XB-1 to continue its important role in informing the future of supersonic travel.”

Approval arrives just weeks after a successful test flight of the X-B1 at subsonic speeds by a pair of test pilots. It follows a thorough environmental review and assessment and requires a chaise lounge to follow the XB-1 to monitor and record flight safety, according to the company.

The company will make 10-20 flights before attempting to break the speed of sound. It will “systematically extend the flight range during that time” to confirm performance and handling qualities, Boom said, while performing in-flight checks on all systems and demonstrating a safe margin of flutter/vibration limits. Test pilot Tristan “Gepetto” Brandenberg will be at the checkpoint during the first supersonic flight.

However, passenger flights are still a long way off. The XB-1 is a scaled-down version of Boom’s ultimate goal, a commercial airliner called the Overture, which is expected to carry under 100 passengers in “business class” comfort levels. The company said the plane would be able to fly from Tokyo to Seattle in four hours and thirty minutes.

The company has seen its share of problems, with test plans delayed and a rift with original engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce. The company subsequently partnered with a company called FTT to develop its own customized “Symphony” jet engine. Still, the company already has customers lined up, with American Airlines and United Airlines placing orders for multiple planes.

NASA is also working on a supersonic jet called the X-59 with a reduced sound profile, but Boom Supersonic didn’t provide many details on how it plans to reduce, well, the supersonic boom.