The Boom XB-1 supersonic aircraft has received permission to exceed the speed of sound

Boom has received permission to test its XB-1 supersonic aircraft at speeds in excess of 1,234km/h, or so-called Mach 1.

The tests are expected to be conducted later this year, flying over the Mojave Desert in California. Their aim is to test the design of the Boom XB-1 and how it relates to fuel consumption, speed and the flying experience as such. To date, the XB-1 has reached speeds below the Mach 1 mark.

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The company plans to conduct a total of 10 to 20 supersonic test flights before this major event. During these, the flying speed will be gradually increased to check how the aircraft behaves. The first test pilot to be entrusted with the important event will be Tristan “Geppetto” Brandenberg.

This is an important test for the entire aviation industry, since there has been no real development in this area for a long time, following the failed attempts to provide passenger transport with the Concorde supersonic aircraft. However, with the development of technology, there is the potential to return flights at this speed to passenger transport. Boom’s goal is to create such a 100-seat passenger plane that will fly from Tokyo to Seattle in 4.5 hours.