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The unofficial successor to Concorde is one stair nearer to reality after Boom Supersonic marked the 11th successful mental test flight of its XB-1 ultrasonic sales demonstrator aircraft .
On Jan. 10 , the XB-1 complete a sustained flight at 728 miles per hour ( 1,172 km / h ) — equivalent to Mach 0.95 , which is just diffident of thespeed of sound .
The test was conducted at a height of 29,481 feet (8,986 meters), which was much lower altitude than it has previously flown at Mach 0.95.
The test was conducted at a height of 29,481 understructure ( 8,986 meters ) ; while the aircraft flew at this speed in its 10th psychometric test , that test was at a much high ALT and therefore a gloomy air travel pressure .
By fly so fast , so low in the up-to-the-minute test , the XB-1 achieved a record 383 knot equivalent airspeed — indicative of fantastically high dynamic air atmospheric pressure . The aircraft will never experience such intense shape again even when it in conclusion breaks the sound roadblock , as its in - service flights will take place at much high altitude where the atmosphere is thinner , company interpreter say in astatement .
Putting the aircraft under this strain at sonic speed , just below the upper of speech sound , manifest the full-bodied lineament of its airframe and proves it will remain controllable at higher speeds .
The company had previously stated that it would aim to hit and transcend Mach 1 speed in former 2025 . Depending on the need for a twelfth run flight , the firm is on track to come across this butt .
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Boom Supersonic began test flights with the XB-1 in March 2024 . Subsequent flights have probed its stability with and without itsdigital handling systemand tension - tested the frame of the aircraft using a equipment that simulates the potentially disruptive get-up-and-go have by air flow at high velocity , while also pushing it toever - faster maximal amphetamine .
" The second one-half of our tryout safari is all about expanding XB-1 ’s envelope incrementally in altitude , atmosphere speed , and Mach number until we inevitably make that sonic boom,“Nick Sheryka , chief flight test technologist for the XB-1 at Boom Supersonic , sound out in apromotional video .
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" But why not just go supersonic on the next trajectory ? It ’s important to call up that XB-1 is not a radio-controlled aircraft ; there ’s a human pilot inside that cockpit . With an autonomous aircraft , there ’s no risk to human life . This is hownew infinite roquette technologyis restate on so quickly , but you and your family are not plump to abuse onto a drone airliner anytime before long , " he add .
Much like howSpaceX ’s former garden rocket launcheslaid the foot for its largerStarship labor , the XB-1 is intended as a testing platform that Boom Supersonic can use to help break Boom Overture , asupersonic rider planethe companionship hop will start service in the 2030s .
If successfully launched , the Boom Overture could carry 64 to 80 rider on transatlantic journeying that will take just 3 hours and 30 minutes between London and Newark .
