Aircraft Sets Maximum Altitude Record and Tests Stability

Boom’s supersonic XB-1 took its eighth flight test on November 16. It was able to reach a new max altitude of over 25,000 feet and operate safely without using its stability augmentation system.

The flight lasted for a total of 54 minutes and was flown by Boom Supersonic’s Chief Test Pilot, Tristan “Geppetto” Brandenburg. The aircraft leveled off at 25,040 ft, over 2,000 ft higher than its previous 23,015 ft record set in test 7.

The primary goal of test 8 was to ensure that the aircraft handled safely in the case of a stability augmentation system failure at high speeds. Brandenburg got XB-1 up to Mach 0.82, or around 487 kts, before powering off the system. Boom reported that the aircraft maintained safe handling characteristics, allowing the program to continue progress toward supersonic speeds.

“Designing a plane that is both very stable and very fast is a challenge, especially for high-speed aircraft like XB-1,” Boom Supersonic explained. “One of the major accomplishments of the XB-1 program was converging on a design that does not rely on computerized augmentation to stay safe in the air, unlike many modern fighter jets that use automated systems to make constant adjustments to the flight path in order to maintain stability.”

XB-1 has two tests left on the subsonic roster before going supersonic. This milestone is expected by the end of the year.

Flight 8 was carried out just 11 days after number 7. This test marked a new top speed of 499 kts (Mach 0.82) for XB-1. The team also performed tests on the aircraft’s flutter excitation (FES) and cockpit pressurization systems.

XB-1 is a prototype of Boom Supersonic’s Overture, set to take the stage in 2025 and finalize type certification by 2029. Overture has already brought in 130 orders and purchase options from American Airlines, United Airlines, and Japan Airlines.

Overture is intended to seat up to 80 passengers and fly as far as 4,250 nm at a time.

FMI: www.boomsupersonic.com