Boom Supersonic's XB-1 test plane has successfully broken the sound barrier for the first time, reaching a top speed of Mach 1.1 during its 12th test flight. This achievement marks a significant milestone in the development of commercial supersonic flight, which has been a long-standing goal for the company.

The XB-1, a smaller-scale demonstration version of the larger Overture airliner, took off from the Mojave Air & Space Port in California and flew to an altitude of 34,000 feet before hitting the supersonic speed. The plane, powered by three General Electric J85-15 turbojet engines, broke the sound barrier three times during the flight, which lasted almost 34 minutes.

This achievement is notable not only because it's the first time Boom's demonstrator aircraft has broken the sound barrier but also because it's the first time a civil aircraft has gone supersonic. The Concorde, which was built as a joint venture between the governments of the UK and France, was the only other commercial supersonic aircraft to have achieved this feat.

Boom's chief test pilot, Tristan Brandenburg, flew the XB-1 to the supersonic speed, which is a significant step forward from the plane's initial test flight on March 22, 2024, when it achieved a top speed of just 283 mph. The most recent test flight took place earlier this year on January 10th, 2025, when Brandenburg hit a top speed of Mach 0.95 and an altitude of 29,481 feet.

Although this milestone is a significant achievement for Boom Supersonic, there is still much work to be done before the company can achieve its goal of having the Overture airliner take its first flight by 2030. The company has raised over $700 million and has sold 15 supersonic aircraft to United Airlines (with the option to buy 35 more) and 20 to American Airlines. However, Boom still needs to develop and test the four engines needed to power the larger Overture airliner, which will be built in-house after the company's partnership with Rolls Royce ended in 2022.

The implications of commercial supersonic flight are significant, with the potential to revolutionize international air travel. If successful, Boom's Overture airliner could reduce travel times between destinations, making it possible to travel from New York to London in just over two hours. However, there are still many challenges to overcome, including concerns about noise pollution, environmental impact, and regulatory hurdles.

Despite these challenges, Boom's achievement is a significant step forward in the development of commercial supersonic flight. As the company continues to test and refine its technology, it's clear that the future of air travel is looking faster and more exciting than ever.