Huge breakthrough in Concorde 2.0 - XB-1 Test Flight

Boom Supersonic Achieves Historic Milestone with First Independent U.S. Civil Supersonic Flight

Boom Supersonic, the American company developing Overture—the world’s fastest airliner—has successfully completed the supersonic flight of its XB-1 demonstrator aircraft. Conducted at the Mojave Air & Space Port in California, this marks a historic achievement as the first civil supersonic jet independently developed in the United States.

Piloted by Chief Test Pilot Tristan “Geppetto” Brandenburg, the XB-1 reached speeds of Mach 1.122 (750 mph) at an altitude of 35,290 feet, officially breaking the sound barrier. While supersonic flight has traditionally been the domain of military and government projects, this accomplishment signals a major breakthrough for private industry.

Boom Supersonic CEO Blake Scholl emphasized the significance of the flight, stating, “A small, dedicated team has achieved what once required governments and billions of dollars.” The success of XB-1 demonstrates the readiness of technology for passenger supersonic travel, paving the way for Overture—a next-generation airliner designed to make high-speed travel widely accessible.

The XB-1 serves as a testbed for key technologies that will be featured in Overture, including carbon fiber composites, digital stability augmentation, and an augmented reality vision system to enhance landing visibility. These innovations have been rigorously tested across 11 piloted flights under various conditions, ensuring both safety and efficiency.

Brandenburg described the milestone as a highlight of his career and a testament to the team’s disciplined approach. “This achievement reflects our commitment to a safety-first culture and lays the groundwork for the future of supersonic travel,” he said.

Technological advancements from the XB-1 program, such as digitally optimized aerodynamics and advanced supersonic air intakes, will be integrated into Overture. Designed to carry 64–80 passengers at Mach 1.7 across more than 600 routes, Overture promises to dramatically cut travel times while operating on 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

The first supersonic flight of XB-1 also marks the return of civil supersonic travel, a feat last seen with Concorde more than two decades ago. Fittingly, this milestone occurred in the same airspace where Chuck Yeager first broke the sound barrier in 1947, linking today’s innovation to aviation’s storied past.

Boom Supersonic has further cemented its vision by completing the Overture Superfactory in Greensboro, North Carolina. With the capacity to produce up to 66 aircraft annually and 130 orders from major airlines—including American Airlines, United Airlines, and Japan Airlines—Overture is set to redefine the future of air travel with unmatched speed and sustainability.