Boom Supersonic, the visionary company behind the groundbreaking Overture supersonic airliner, has marked several significant milestones in the development of its technology demonstrator aircraft, XB-1. This aircraft embodies 60 years of aviation advancements, including carbon fiber composites, advanced avionics, and digitally optimized aerodynamics, all aimed at enabling sustainable supersonic travel. In early 2023, XB-1 was transitioned from Boom’s hangar in Centennial, Colorado, to the Mojave Air & Space Port in California. Since its arrival, extensive ground testing has taken place, culminating in recent taxi tests that showcase the aircraft’s readiness for its inaugural flight.
In addition to the ongoing testing, XB-1 has received an experimental airworthiness certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) after undergoing a thorough aircraft inspection. The aircraft is now authorized for flight with Chief Test Pilot Bill “Doc” Shoemaker and test pilot Tristan “Gepetto” Brandenburg at the helm. Letters of agreement with airspace authorities have also been established, enabling XB-1 flights over the Mojave desert – the same airspace that witnessed historic moments in aviation, such as the sound barrier-breaking flight by Captain Charles “Chuck” Yeager in the Bell X-1.