American aerospace company Boom Supersonic has reached a major milestone with its supersonic test aircraft, the XB-1. Breaking the sound barrier, the XB-1 has become the first civilian aircraft to achieve supersonic speeds since Concorde was retired in 2003. The company aims to launch commercial supersonic flights by 2029.
Breaking the sound barrier occurs when an aircraft exceeds the speed at which sound propagates. During this process, shock waves form around the aircraft, and these waves create a phenomenon known as a sonic boom, which is perceived as a loud explosion by observers on the ground.
Next-Generation Supersonic Aircraft Following in Concorde’s Footsteps
Concorde, operated by British Airways and Air France between 1976 and 2003, was the most well-known example of supersonic commercial flight. Capable of reaching Mach 2, this revolutionary aircraft reduced the London-New York travel time to just three hours. However, due to high fuel consumption, cost issues, and a fatal crash in 2000, Concorde was retired, becoming a nostalgic symbol in aviation history.
Challenges Facing Supersonic Flights
One of the biggest obstacles to supersonic commercial aviation is the intense sound wave known as the “sonic boom.” Due to this issue, the U.S. banned supersonic flights over land in the 1970s. Today, new-generation supersonic aircraft are being developed with quiet engines and advanced aerodynamic designs to mitigate this problem.
Boom Supersonic’s Overture Ambition
Boom Supersonic aims to bring back supersonic commercial travel with its next-generation aircraft, Overture. Expected to reach speeds of Mach 1.7, Overture could cut the New York-Rome flight time to just 4 hours and 40 minutes. Additionally, the company is committed to sustainability, planning to power its aircraft with 100% sustainable aviation fuel.
Meanwhile, NASA and Lockheed Martin’s X-59 project is focused on solving the noise problem in supersonic flight. Featuring a long-nose design to disperse shock waves and minimize sonic booms, the X-59 is preparing for test flights over the U.S.
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