American planes authorized for supersonic flight

Boom Supersonic, based in Colorado, has received a new license from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) permitting their jet to fly at speeds of Mach 1 and higher. The XB-1 supersonic jet will be used for test flights in the Black Mountain Supersonic Corridor in Mojave, California. The XB-1 aircraft completed its first flight on March 22, 2024, and is currently undergoing testing at Boom’s California complex before moving to the designated airspace for further testing.

The next phase of flight testing will occur in the Black Mountain Supersonic Corridor and nearby High Altitude Supersonic Corridor in airspace known for military hypersonics research. Safety protocols are in place to monitor the XB-1 during flight, with plans to test the plane’s landing gear and other hardware in upcoming flights.

Boom plans to gradually increase the XB-1’s range and speed, flying at Mach 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3 in the first three flights. These speeds will provide valuable data on the aircraft’s performance and handling as it reaches supersonic speeds. The company is focused on ensuring the safety and efficiency of the aircraft as it prepares for future commercial supersonic flights.