Flight Test Program Accelerating

Boom Supersonic announced its demonstrator aircraft XB-1 successfully completed its third test flight less than three weeks after the second flight.

The flight was piloted by Chief Test Pilot Tristan “Geppetto” Brandenburg for his second flight at the controls. Boom is testing key systems and performance as it systematically expands the flight envelope. The pace of test flights is picking up on its way to the target of supersonic flight before the end of the year.

Geppetto pushed XB-1 to the maximum pitch and yaw attitudes expected to be seen during routine flight. The flight was conducted at a higher altitude than previously to ensure any unexpected handling qualities could be safely dealt with or if anything unexpected did happen it was not during a critical phase of flight.

The team also monitored the environmental control system (ECS) for proper maintenance of cockpit temperature and pressure before taking XB-1 to higher altitudes. The landing gear was cycled again, this time at higher speeds than its previous test at 215 knots. The maximum safe speed for gear raising and lowering will be 225 knots. Testing also continued on the roll damping system or stability augmentation system, which was initially tested in the second flight.

As the run up to supersonic flight continues to progress, the company expects to complete approximately 10 more flights before reaching supersonic flight. Boom has already received the first-ever Special Flight Authorization (SFA) to Exceed Mach 1 from the FAA. The supersonic flights will be conducted in the Black Mountain Supersonic Corridor above Edwards Air Force Base in California.

FMI:  boomsupersonic.com/