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The unofficial replacement to Concorde is one step closer to reality after Boom Supersonic brand the 11th successful tryout flying of its XB-1 supersonic protester aircraft .
On Jan. 10 , the XB-1 completed a sustained flight of steps at 728 mph ( 1,172 klick / h ) — equivalent to Mach 0.95 , which is just shy of thespeed of sound .
The test was conducted at a height of 29,481 feet (8,986 meters), which was much lower altitude than it has previously flown at Mach 0.95.
The test was conducted at a height of 29,481 metrical unit ( 8,986 meters ) ; while the aircraft flew at this speed in its 10th trial , that test was at a much high EL and therefore a lower airwave pressure .
By flying so tight , so low in the latest test , the XB-1 achieved a record 383 air mile equivalent airspeed — indicative of fantastically in high spirits dynamical air pressure . The aircraft will never know such intense conditions again even when it finally breaks the wakeless roadblock , as its in - help flights will take place at much higher elevation where the atmosphere is thin , company representatives said in astatement .
place the aircraft under this strain at transonic speed , just below the speed of speech sound , demonstrate the racy calibre of its airframe and proves it will persist controllable at higher speeds .
The caller had previously express that it would aim to hit and exceed Mach 1 speed in early 2025 . depend on the need for a twelfth trial escape , the firm is on track to cope with this target .
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Boom Supersonic began tryout flights with the XB-1 in March 2024 . Subsequent flights have examine its stableness with and without itsdigital handling systemand stress - tested the skeletal frame of the aircraft using a gimmick that simulates the potentially disruptive vigour cause by air flow at high speed , while also pushing it toever - loyal maximal speeds .
" The 2nd half of our test drive is all about expanding XB-1 ’s gasbag incrementally in ALT , air speed , and Mach number until we unavoidably make that sonic boom,“Nick Sheryka , chief flight test railroad engineer for the XB-1 at Boom Supersonic , said in apromotional video .
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" But why not just go supersonic on the next flight ? It ’s important to remember that XB-1 is not a laggard ; there ’s a human pilot program inside that cockpit . With an autonomous aircraft , there ’s no peril to human life . This is hownew space skyrocket technologyis iterated on so quickly , but you and your family are not going to mistreat onto a drone airliner anytime soon , " he added .
Much like howSpaceX ’s former rocket launcheslaid the understructure for its largerStarship project , the XB-1 is intended as a examination platform that Boom Supersonic can use to facilitate develop Boom Overture , asupersonic passenger planethe ship’s company hopes will jump divine service in the 2030s .
If successfully launch , the Boom Overture could carry 64 to 80 passengers on transatlantic journeys that will take just 3 hours and 30 minute between London and Newark .
