Denver-based company Boom Technology achieved a significant milestone in the aviation industry by breaking the sound barrier with their next-generation supersonic airliner, the XB-1, nicknamed “Baby Boom.” This marks the first civil supersonic jet to be produced in the United States since the Concorde. The XB-1 serves as a technology demonstrator for Boom Supersonic’s larger platform, the Overture, which has already received 130 preorders from major airlines.
Boom Supersonic’s founder and CEO, Blake Scholl, highlighted the achievement as a significant advancement in passenger supersonic flight technology, accomplished by a team of dedicated engineers. The Concorde, a previous supersonic airliner, was a joint effort that cost billions to develop, while each aircraft cost $225 million. In comparison, the Overture is estimated to cost $200 million per aircraft, with a total program cost between $6 and $8 billion.
Despite the progress made by Boom Technology, challenges remain in terms of regulations. The Federal Aviation Administration currently bans supersonic flight over the United States due to concerns related to sonic booms. However, NASA is working on technologies to mitigate loud sonic booms. Boom Supersonic aims to make supersonic flight accessible to a wider audience by targeting a ticket price of $5,000, comparable to a typical business class ticket cost.
Overall, Boom Technology’s achievement in breaking the sound barrier with the XB-1 marks a significant step towards the development of a successful and commercially viable supersonic airliner.