[Reading Science] A Supersonic Passenger Plane Succeeding the Ill-Fated Concorde Is Coming

US Aviation Startup Completes Prototype Development and Begins Test Flights
60-80 Seat 'Overture' to Launch in 2026-2027

The ill-fated supersonic passenger plane 'Concorde' will be succeeded by a new civilian supersonic passenger aircraft that has completed development and is about to begin test flights.

Concept image of the supersonic passenger plane Overture being developed by Boom Technology. Photo by Boom Technology website

According to space-specialized media Space.com on the 3rd, the American aerospace startup 'Boom Technology' recently completed the manufacturing and ground testing of the latest supersonic passenger aircraft prototype, the XB-1. It then moved to the Mojave Air and Space Port in California for test flights. The XB-1, which is 22 meters long and made of carbon composite materials, has already successfully passed various comprehensive ground tests. This week, it also completed 'Taxi Testing,' which involves taxiing on the runway. This is the final inspection procedure conducted just before the prototype aircraft's test flight.

The XB-1 is designed to fly at more than twice the speed of sound, with a maximum speed of Mach 2.2 (2,700 km/h). The Mojave Desert, where the first test flight will take place, is also a historic site where humanity's first supersonic flight was achieved in October 1947.

Boom Technology recently received experimental airworthiness certification from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) after a detailed inspection of the aircraft for the XB-1's test flights. The company also obtained permission from aviation safety authorities to fly the XB-1 over the Mojave Desert and has selected two pilots for the test flights. These pilots have completed hundreds of hours of simulator training and rehearsals using the T-38 trainer aircraft. Through more than 50 flights and critical aviation experiments, they plan to demonstrate the XB-1's safety and performance.

Boom Technology states that it has applied 60 years of accumulated aircraft design and manufacturing technology to create a safe and convenient state-of-the-art supersonic passenger aircraft. The fuselage is made of carbon fiber composite materials and titanium, and it incorporates advanced avionics systems. Notably, the aircraft's wings are designed to form a gentle triangular shape, which makes flying at speeds above Mach 2 difficult but aids in safe takeoff and landing. It is equipped with three J85 engines made by General Electric, capable of producing up to 12,300 pounds of thrust.

Prototype of the supersonic passenger aircraft XB-1 developed by Boom Technology. Photo by Boom Technology website

If the XB-1 test flights proceed as planned, the company intends to launch an expanded version called Overture for commercial routes starting in 2026. The first flight is expected as early as 2027. The Overture will have a 61-meter fuselage and be capable of flying at speeds up to Mach 1.7. It will be 20% faster than the fastest existing commercial aircraft on land routes and twice as fast as the fastest passenger aircraft when flying at sea level. The Overture is designed to carry between 64 and 80 passengers and will use 'sustainable' aviation fuel. If deployed on intercontinental routes, it could reduce the current 7-hour New York to Rome flight to 4 hours and 45 minutes. It could also shorten the approximately 12-hour San Francisco to Seoul route to 8 hours.

The supersonic passenger aircraft era began with the Anglo-French joint Concorde. It operated as an irregular charter flight between New York and London from 1976 but was discontinued in 2003 due to declining passengers and accidents. The sonic boom caused by breaking the sound barrier was severe, leading to a ban on flying over land, and the high ticket prices prevented it from flourishing. Fuel-related environmental pollution was also a problem.

Meanwhile, NASA is also striving to revive supersonic passenger aircraft. It is developing the X-59 supersonic prototype, capable of speeds between Mach 2 and 4, and continues test flights while researching low-noise airframe technology to minimize sonic booms and appropriate flight routes. Recently, NASA signed one-year contracts with two private sector consortia to develop supersonic passenger aircraft design concepts and finalize a technical roadmap by next year.