Boom tests taxiing on the runway with the XB-1 supersonic aircraft prototype
Boom Supersonic has advanced the development of a supersonic airliner. Their XB-1 prototype successfully passed runway tests and received FAA certification, making it on its way to first flight. The prototype, with a wingspan of 5.2 meters, could reach speeds of up to Mach 1.7. Get ready for a supersonic vacation.
Prototype XB-1. Credit: Boom Supersonic.
The British-French Concorde supersonic airliner was as iconic as it was a flop. The crowds loved him and he was a dead end at the same time. Only now, a full 20 years since his last flight (2003), new attempts at supersonic transport are finally beginning to take shape, which will hopefully turn out better.
Boom they have an FAA certificate in their pocket. Credit: Boom Supersonic.
There are currently a number of new supersonic aircraft projects in play at various stages of development. It turns out that one of the biggest problems is developing an airplane design that can deal with the most pressing source of objections from the authorities and the public to supersonic transport. This is the infamous sonic boom, which should be kept to an absolute minimum in new aircraft
Taxiing on the runway at the Mojave Air & Space Port. Credit: Boom Supersonic.
Boom Supersonic has begun runway testing of its XB-1 supersonic aircraft prototype. It represents a platform for testing technologies that will be used by the developed Overture transport aircraft. The company has already received a certificate (experimental airworthiness certificate) from the US regulator US FAA.
With this certificate, the XB-1 prototype can take its first flight, piloted by Boom’s chief test pilot Bill “Doc” Shoemaker with test pilot Tristan “Gepetto” Brandenburg. For now, they are training on a simulator and with the Northrop T-38 Talon trainer jet, which will play the role of escort aircraft during flight tests of the XB-1 prototype.
The prototype has a hull made of carbon composite and titanium. It is equipped with a modified delta wing with a span of 5.2 m. It is powered by three General Electric J85 jet engines that burn Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). They can give the prototype a speed of up to Mach 1.7.
According to “Doc” Shoemaker, the X,B-1 prototype is firmly on track for its first flight at the Mojave Air & Space Port. More than 50 first flights of various aircraft and a number of other significant aviation events have already taken place there. Shoemaker believes that the efforts of many engineers, pilots and other experts will lead to a renaissance of supersonic commercial flight. Are you looking forward to breaking the sound barrier?
Video: XB-1 Taxi Testing: August 23, 2023
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2023-08-31 16:20:10
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