The Colorado-based company is aiming to build a Concorde-like supersonic aircraft—but has hurdles to clear before realizing that goal.

BY CHLOE AIELLO, REPORTER @CHLOBO_ILO

Boom Supersonic makes aviation history as XB-1 breaks the sound barrier. XB-1 is the first civil supersonic jet made in America. Photo: Boom

Boom’s XB-1 demonstrator aircraft just broke the sound barrier, making history as the first independently produced American-made jet to ever fly at supersonic speeds in the U.S.

The Colorado-based aerospace startup completed a 12th successful test flight of its XB-1 supersonic demonstrator aircraft—and the first in which it reached supersonic speeds, traveling upwards of Mach 1.1. (For an aircraft to go Mach 1, that means it has hit the same speed that sound waves travel at through air.) CEO and founder Blake Scholl says the test flight marks a crucial milestone in the return of civilian supersonic flight—and the first time such an aircraft has been developed by a private company, rather than a government contractor, in the U.S. or elsewhere.

“This afternoon we get to celebrate,” Scholl said, immediately following XB-1 pilot Tristan “Geppetto” Brandenburg’s successful landing. “Tomorrow, we’re back to work because it’s time to go big. It’s time to take this little airplane made out of airliner technology, and scale it up. Time to bring supersonic flight back.”  

The XB-1, which holds just one person (the pilot), took off from the Mojave Air & Space Port in California shortly after 11 a.m. ET, and exceeded Mach 1 three times during its flight. When an aircraft breaks the sound barrier, the pilot generally feels nothing, but there is an audible “boom” sound on the........

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