In a major development for the future of supersonic travel, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted a new license to Boom Supersonic. This authorization allows the jet to fly at speeds of Mach 1 and higher, paving the way for test flights with their XB-1 supersonic jet.
Based in Colorado, Boom Supersonic is now authorized to conduct flight tests with their aircraft over the Black Mountain Supersonic Corridor in Mojave, California. The first flight of the triangular XB-1 aircraft took place on March 22, 2024 from the Mojave Spaceport. Currently capable of flying supersonic at Boom’s complex in California, the next phase of testing will take place within the Black Mountain Supersonic Corridor and parts of the nearby High Altitude Supersonic Corridor.
During its last flight, operators were able to monitor and track the XB-1 for safety purposes. Now they are preparing for a second flight to test the aircraft’s landing gear and other hardware. Boom plans to extend the range of the XB-1 before flying at supersonic speeds to evaluate performance and handling throughout the journey to Mach 1 and beyond.
The XB-1 is set to fly at speeds of Mach 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3 in its first three flights, according to Boom Supersonic CEO Blake Scholl. This milestone represents a significant step forward in