--- title: "Boom! The XB-1 Demonstrator Jet Has Gone Supersonic" description: "Boom Supersonic’s [XB-1 demonstrator]() has broken the sound barrier, marking a major milestone in the effort that hopes to lead to a larger 55-seat supersonic airliner design known as [Overture](). Overall, the program could have significant implications not only for…" date: "2025-01-28" modified: "2025-01-28" authors: - name: "Thomas Newdick" job_title: "Staff Writer" link: "https://www.twz.com/authors/thomas-newdick" url: "https://www.twz.com/air/boom-the-xb-1-demonstrator-jet-has-gone-supersonic" categories: - "Air" - "Air Forces" - "Americas" - "Around The Globe" - "Civil Aviation" - "News & Features" - "Testbeds" - "U.S. Air Force" - "U.S. Homeland" tags: - "supersonic flight" - "XB-1" --- # Boom! The XB-1 Demonstrator Jet Has Gone Supersonic ![The first supersonic flight of the Boom Supersonic XB-1.]() *Screenshot YouTube screenshot* Boom Supersonic’s [XB-1 demonstrator]() has broken the sound barrier, marking a major milestone in the effort that hopes to lead to a larger 55-seat supersonic airliner design known as [Overture](). Overall, the program could have significant implications not only for commercial aviation but [also for the military](). ![]() *Boom Supersonic’s XB-1 demonstrator eases past the sound barrier for the first time, going supersonic just over 11 minutes into its sortie today. *YouTube screencap** The aircraft was flown to a speed of Mach 1.1 by former U.S. Navy aviator and Boom test pilot Tristan “Geppetto” Brandenburg, from the Mojave Air & Space Port, California. For the majority of its flight, the XB-1 was accompanied by two other supersonic jets, an [ATAC Mirage F1]() flown by A.J. “Face” McFarland, serving as primary safety chase, and a [T-38 Talon]() performing photo chase duties. During the flight, the XB-1 entered the supersonic realm three times, landing safely at Mojave after a flight of a little over 30 minutes duration. ![]() *The XB-1, flown by Test Pilot Tristan “Geppetto” Brandenburg, takes off today from the Mojave Air & Space Port, California. *YouTube screencap** ![]() *The XB-1, accompanied by a Mirage F1 chase plane. *YouTube screencap*Screenshot* The XB-1, which had previously reached a fastest speed of Mach 0.95, performed its historic sortie in a portion of airspace known as the [Bell X-1 Supersonic Corridor](), named after the [X-1 rocket plane](), in which Charles E. [“Chuck” Yeager](), arguably the world’s most famous test pilot, became the first human to break the sound barrier in October 1947. ![]() *A map of the Bell X-1 Supersonic Corridor. *U.S. Air Force** https://www.twitter.com/bscholl/status/1884092632789573699 The XB-1 becomes the latest supersonic platform to take to the air over ‘Test Flight Valley,’ building on the historic first flights performed here by types including the X-1, the North American[ X-15](), and the Lockheed [SR-71 Blackbird](). https://twitter.com/ashleevance/status/1884279373513253229 Ultimately, XB-1 is expected to have a top speed of around Mach 2.2 (1,687.99 miles per hour). The XB-1, also known as the “Baby Boom,” is a one-third-scale technology demonstrator for the Overture. It made its first flight at Mojave on March 22, 2024, as you can read about [here](). During that flight, the XB-1 was flown at speeds up to 238 knots (273 mph, or Mach 0.355), achieving an altitude of 7,120 feet. On that occasion, Chief Test Pilot Bill “Doc” Shoemaker was at the controls, while the flight was monitored by “Geppetto” Brandenburg, flying a [T-38 Talon]() chase aircraft. *A video showing the first flight of the XB-1, on March 22, 2024:* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ON2\_9XFjKl4 Boom Supersonic [rolled out the XB-1](), which carries the U.S. civil registration code N990XB, on Oct. 7, 2020. The company first said it was developing this demonstrator in November 2016, some eight months after announcing its plans for the Overture. While we have outlined [the key aspects of the XB-1]() in the past, the aircraft is 62.6 feet long and its elongated delta-wing planform has a wingspan of 21 feet. It makes extensive use of sophisticated technologies, including carbon-fiber composites, advanced avionics, and digitally optimized aerodynamics. ![]() *The XB-1 during an earlier test flight. *Boom Supersonic** It also has an unusual propulsion system to propel it into the supersonic regime. This comprises three General Electric J85-15 turbojets, which together provide more than 12,000 pounds of thrust. The widely used J85 also powers, among others, the [Northrop F-5]() and the T-38. Since the XB-1 was rolled out, another three-engined aircraft has broken cover, the [Chinese advanced tailless combat aircraf]()t tentatively [known as the J-36](). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1MULz4dssA&t=2s Compared to the XB-1, the Overture will be 201 feet long and is planned to achieve a cruising speed of Mach 1.7 (1,304 miles per hour) and a maximum speed of Mach 2.2. The company anticipates it will have a maximum range of 4,500 nautical miles. ![]() *A rendering of Boom Supersonic’s Overture airliner. *Boom Supersonic** Achieving the Mach 1 mark is a huge achievement for the company and an important statement of intent for the future Overture supersonic airliner. Aimed to make supersonic travel more affordable to greater numbers of travelers — a goal in which no other operator has succeeded in the past — the Overture is planned to carry a total of 64-80 passengers. Intended to drastically shorten the duration of transoceanic routes, the aircraft is “designed … to be profitable for airlines at fares similar to first and business class,” the company’s website [notes](). The last time this kind of performance was available to paying passengers was aboard the Anglo-French [Concorde](). A seat on this iconic airliner cost multiple times that of an equivalent [business-class]() fare, and it was retired from commercial supersonic flight in late 2003. ![British Airways Concorde taking-off with undercarriage retracting and afterburners. (Photo by: aviation-images.com/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)]() *A British Airways Concorde taking off with undercarriage retracting and afterburners lit. *aviation-images.com/Universal Images Group via Getty Images* aviation-images.com* The Concorde was preceded into service by the Soviet [Tupolev Tu-144](), which became the world’s first commercial supersonic transport aircraft, beginning operations in 1975. However, it completed only around 100 commercial flights, with roughly half of them carrying passengers, before being quickly relegated to cargo-carrying duties. It saw out its career as a supersonic research aircraft, including [on behalf of NASA](). ![(GERMANY OUT) Tupolev Tu-144, Soviet jet airliner, at Schoenefeld airport (Photo by Sobottaullstein bild via Getty Images)]() *A Soviet Tupolev Tu-144 supersonic airliner, at Schoenefeld Airport, East Germany. *Photo by Sobottaullstein bild via Getty Images* ullstein bild* Boom has [claimed in the past]() that each Overture aircraft will cost $200 million to produce. [It further states on its website]() that “Overture’s order book stands at 130 orders and pre-orders,” with commitments from American Airlines, United Airlines, and Japan Airlines. Boom says it [is slated to]() roll out the first Overture in 2026, with test flights to commence in 2027, and type certification expected by 2029. All this remains highly ambitious, with plenty more hurdles to negotiate, and we shouldn’t be surprised if that timeline fails to be met. ![]() **Boom* *Supersonic** Outside of the commercial market, potential military applications of the Overture shouldn’t be overlooked. [Since 2020](), Boom [has been working]() with the U.S. Air Force with a view to a potential version of the Overture for high-speed executive flight. While moving government officials around at supersonic speed would be a unique and highly prestigious capability, the Overture design also offers potential for the rapid transit of cargo, as well as personnel, capabilities the Air Force [has also been eyeing](). In July 2022, Northrop Grumman and Boom [announced]() a collaboration to develop a variant of the Overture specifically [for the U.S. and allied military forces](). At the time, Boom noted that a military variant would be ideal for “rapid-response missions.” *A pilot’s eye view of XB-1’s tenth test flight, narrated by Chief Flight Test Engineer Nick Sheryka:* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcUN0twHnNU “Fitted with specialized capabilities, the aircraft could be used to deliver medical supplies, provide for emergency medical evacuation, or surveil vast areas faster than conventional aircraft,” the company [said](). “The special mission Overture variant could also be used to coordinate other aircraft and ground assets in a variety of scenarios.” Since then, there have been more efforts to progress the development of “defense variants” of the Overture. In September 2023, Boom [announced the launch]() of its Defense Advisory Group, building on its collaboration with Northrop Grumman. The group aims to help identify unspecified “national security missions” the aircraft could be used for. ![A wind tunnel model of the Boom Supersonic XB-1 is displayed at the Boom Supersonic showroom during the Farnborough Airshow, south west of London, on July 16, 2018. (Photo by Tolga AKMEN / AFP) (Photo credit should read TOLGA AKMEN/AFP via Getty Images)]() *A wind tunnel model of the Boom Supersonic XB-1 is displayed during the Farnborough Airshow, southwest of London, on July 16, 2018. *TOLGA AKMEN/AFP via Getty Images* TOLGA AKMEN* But like the commercial applications of the Overture, the prospect of getting a militarized version off the ground is also fraught with difficulties. Back in 2017, Lockheed Martin announced that it was working with Aerion to develop the AS2 supersonic business jet — a primarily commercial aircraft that could have military applications. At the time, [we outlined the various ways]() in which its capabilities could be harnessed by the U.S. military, only for Aerion to go out of business in 2021. ![]() *A rendering of the Aerion AS2 in a U.S. military livery. **Aerion*** Ultimately, despite the undoubted military potential of the Overture — or developments of it — it will be the commercial marketplace where the program succeeds or fails. The history of prior programs demonstrates just how difficult it is to make commercial supersonic flight a reality, especially an affordable one. That, however, remains Boom’s primary aim. For now, however, it’s very much worth reflecting on Boom Supersonic’s achievement of breaking the sound barrier with its XB-1. Whatever the future has in store for this ambitious program, the exotic test jet is sure to capture imaginations like the supersonic pioneers that came before it. *Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com* ## Author Thomas Newdick is a staff writer at *TWZ*, where he covers military aviation, defense technology, weapons systems, and international security. Based in Berlin, Germany, he reports on conflicts, military modernization efforts, and emerging aerospace technologies around the world, with a particular interest in airpower and its role in contemporary warfare. His reporting is informed by deep expertise in modern and historical airpower, particularly in Europe, with a focus on military aviation, air campaigns, and aerospace developments across the continent and beyond. Over a journalism career spanning more than 25 years, Thomas has become known for making complex defense and aerospace topics accessible to a broad audience. His reporting combines technical expertise, historical context, and a focus on the real-world operational and strategic implications of military developments. ### Author social links [Twitter]()