The United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) recently released a breathtaking photo capturing the moment when Boom Supersonic’s test aircraft XB-1 broke the sound barrier on February 10th. Minimizing sonic booms to the maximum extent is a key factor in reviving commercial supersonic air travel. Analysis revealed that the sonic boom during this flight was perceptible on the ground.
This image was produced through a collaboration between NASA and Boom using Schlieren photography technology, which visualizes the shock waves generated by supersonic flight.
Boom’s founder and CEO, Blake Scholl, stated, “This image makes the invisible shockwaves visible – this is the image of the first American-made civil supersonic plane breaking the sound barrier.”
To capture this moment precisely, the Boom team had to calculate the aircraft’s flight trajectory accurately, ensuring that XB-1 flew directly in front of the sun at the moment of capture. NASA’s team utilized Schlieren photography to capture the airflow changes as XB-1 broke the sound barrier.
Boom indicated that data showed no audible sonic boom was generated during this flight. In the past, the loudness of sonic booms led several governments to ban supersonic flights over densely populated areas or only allow them over water. However, Boom’s technology breakthrough holds potential to change this situation, aiming to become the first commercial supersonic aviation company.
Currently, the company’s aircraft can reach speeds of around 750 mph (about 1,207 km/h), with a future goal of increasing to 1.7 Mach (approximately 1,300 mph/2,092 km/h), which is twice the speed of modern commercial planes.
Boom plans to introduce the Overture supersonic passenger plane by the end of this century. On January 28th of this year, XB-1 completed its first supersonic flight, laying the groundwork for the commercialization of the Overture plane.
Boom plans for Overture to cover over 600 routes worldwide, enhancing the efficiency and economy of the aviation industry.
The XB-1 test aircraft is an important platform for Boom’s supersonic technology development, incorporating various innovative technologies.
Unlike the Concorde, Boom utilizes Augmented Reality (AR) visual systems, eliminating the need for the traditional adjustable nose cone while ensuring good runway visibility for pilots, reducing weight and complexity of design.
“Digital engineering technology is crucial for the return of supersonic flight,” Scholl told CNN in 2024. “We have made significant progress in aerodynamics, materials, and propulsion technology, far surpassing the Concorde era.”
Boom employs Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) for design, a digital wind tunnel technology that can conduct hundreds of simulations overnight, significantly reducing costs compared to the expensive physical wind tunnel tests used in the Concorde era.
The XB-1 fuselage is mostly made of carbon fiber composite materials, ensuring lightweight and high strength.
Currently, Boom has built the “Overture Supersonic Factory” in Greensboro, North Carolina, which is expected to produce 66 Overture planes annually.