It’s been over two decades since Concorde last touched down, yet supersonic business air travel is back in sight—thanks to an ambitious American startup. The Boom Supersonic XB-1 test vehicle not only captured the program’s first official sonic boom but also demonstrated that breaking frontiers beyond the reach of supersonic flight is not only for government projects with bottomless budgets. From idea sketches to a successful post-sound barrier flight, the XB-1 is a tribute to present-day aviation, where leading-edge engineering, regulatory machinations, and healthy doses of audacity meet.
Dubbed the “Baby Boom,” XB-1 is a one-third-scale technology demonstrator for Boom’s future Overture jet airliner. Its 62.6-foot, carbon-composite fuselage contains cutting-edge avionics and aerodynamics designed using digital modeling.
Three General Electric J85-15 turbojets produce more than 12,000 pounds of thrust, sufficient to fly it faster than Mach 1. The feat marks a shift away from the usual state-funded programs towards privately funded innovations in supersonic technology.
The flight testing began at Mojave Air & Space Port, where Chuck Yeager initially broke the sound barrier back in 1947. Early flights involved handling stability and airspeed tests at multiple altitudes. On each flight, the XB-1 was tested further, beginning at Mach 0.82 at 23,000 feet and gradually increasing in speed as engineers worked towards full supersonic capability.
The moment of truth came when test pilot Tristan “Geppetto” Brandenburg flew the XB-1 supersonic at 35,000 feet, going over Mach 1.1. Chase planes like a Mirage F1 and a T-38 Talon followed the flight. Aviation authorities welcomed the success, with Concorde veteran captain Mike Bannister calling it “a major step toward making sustainable supersonic flight a reality.”
Odds are, the best part of this flight went unheard by the people on the ground. Due to the XB-1’s shape and Mach cutoff profile, microphones located along its trajectory picked up no sonic boom. This achievement directly challenges the FAA’s long-standing prohibition of supersonic flight over land, putting the answer to faster air travel without the jolting shock that grounded Concorde in clear sight.
The XB-1 is not just a test plane—it’s a model of the Overture airliner, seating 64 to 80 passengers at Mach 1.7 on hundreds of routes. It will only consume sustainable aviation fuel, one of Concorde’s largest liabilities: its insatiable fuel use and ecological footprint.
Boom’s Greensboro, North Carolina, Superfactory is able to produce up to 66 aircraft a year, 130 of which are already ordered by big carriers like American Airlines, United Airlines, and Japan Airlines. Regulatory hurdles remain, as FAA rules keep civilian supersonic overland flights off-limits. The XB-1’s stealthy supersonic travel can redefine the rules in the near future.
Aside from commercial airliner usage, Boom is also looking at defense opportunities with Northrop Grumman, such as quick-response transport, medevac, and surveillance. A $60 million deal with the U.S. Air Force demonstrates the need for supersonic solutions for strategic missions.
The broader implications are much more than flight. Faster international travel can spark commerce, strengthen global connections, and establish new commercial and scientific partnerships. The XB-1 demonstrates what occurs when drive meets innovation and reignites passion for what is possible through aviation.
From initial drawings to taking to the skies at supersonic speeds, the XB-1 demonstrates that supersonic flight is no myth of yesterday. With every successful test flight, high-speed air travel is closer to being a reality for regular commuters.