Flight Test Program Accelerates Toward Mach 1

Boom Supersonic’s XB-1 demonstrator aircraft successfully carried out Flight Seven on November 5, 2024, focusing on expanding the flutter envelope and cockpit pressure testing to ensure safe performance and handling qualities as XB-1 nears supersonic speeds and higher altitudes.

With Chief Test Pilot Tristan “Geppetto” Brandenburg again at the controls, XB-1 reached a higher altitude of 23, 015 feet, 3,015 higher than the last flight. In its 55-minute flight the aircraft achieved a higher speed of 0.82 Mach or 499 knots true airspeed.

The cockpit pressure test was performed at the maximum pressure differential and was the final pressurization test to ensure it is safe to proceed to 30,000 feet, where the XB-1 will fly at supersonic speeds. The XB-1 cockpit is maintained is a pressurized state similar to an airliner.

The flutter excitation system was tested at higher speeds than previous flights, hitting Mach 0.70, 0.75, and 0.8 test points to confirm that the aircraft will handle predictably as it proceeds up to transonic speeds.

XB-1 continues to perform at progressively high altitudes and faster speeds as the flight test program gradually expands the flight envelope to prepare the aircraft and the team to achieve its goal of breaking the sound barrier at Mach 1.

FMI:  boomsupersonic.com