Supersonic aircraft Boom Supersonic's XB-1 reaches new height milestone, bringing supersonic travel one step closer to realization
The world of aviation is gearing up for a potential shift in supersonic flight regulations, with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) considering changes as late as 2027. This development comes after the FAA's 1973 prohibition of civil supersonic flight over land due to the constant sonic booms and their impact on the ground.
Currently, the focus is on two key projects: Boom Supersonic's demonstrator aircraft, the XB-1, and NASA's X-59. The XB-1, which had its first flight in March 2024, is designed to exceed the sound barrier, but Boom plans to fly its passenger jet at reduced speeds, specifically at Mach 0.94, over land.
The XB-1, 99.7 feet long and with a wingspan of 29.5 feet, completed its eighth flight on November 16, 2024. The flight, lasting 54 minutes, reached a maximum altitude of 25,040 feet (7,632 meters) and a top flight speed of Mach 0.82.
NASA's X-59, on the other hand, is a supersonic aircraft designed to mitigate the sonic boom that caused uproar during more common supersonic flight. The X-59 won a Gizmodo Science Fair award this year for its innovative design. To an observer on the ground, the X-59's sonic boom will sound like the closing of a car door or a sonic thump, a significant improvement over the disruptive booms of the past.
As part of the testing process, the X-59 will be flown over several U.S. cities, and residents will be surveyed on the invasiveness of the aircraft's presence. Boom's ultimate goal is to run commercial passengers on its Overture jet, for which the XB-1 is a technology demonstrator.
Before achieving Mach 1, Boom plans approximately two more subsonic flights. The FAA has made it clear that any changes in regulations regarding supersonic flight over land will depend on the aircraft's ability to not disrupt life on the ground. If the XB-1 and X-59 can achieve this, supersonic travel over land may become a reality once more.
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