break the sound barrier with boom supersonic's XB-1 airplane made with 3D-printed parts

denver-based boom supersonic — the aerospace company building the world’s fastest airliner — has unveiled its supersonic demonstrator, XB-1, the world’s first independently developed supersonic jet. slated to fly for the first time in 2021, the aircraft will undergo a 100% carbon-neutral flight test program.

‘boom continues to make progress towards our founding mission—making the world dramatically more accessible,’ says blake scholl, boom founder and CEO. ‘XB-1 is an important milestone towards the development of our commercial airliner, overture, making sustainable supersonic flight mainstream and fostering human connection.’

images by boom supersonic

the boom supersonic XB-1 features a 71-foot-long fuselage, optimally shaped for high-speed aerodynamic efficiency. made of a carbon-composite, the airframe maintains its strength and rigidity, even user the high temperatures and stresses of supersonic flight. the delta wing balances low-speed stability at takeoff and landing with high-speed efficiency. three J85-15 engines designed by general electric provide more than 12,000 pounds of thrust, allowing XB-1 to fly at breakthrough supersonic speeds.

after rollout, the boom supersonic XB-1 will complete its ongoing, extensive ground test program before heading to mojave, california in 2021 for flight test. at the same time, the company will finalize overture’s propulsion system and conduct wind tunnel tests to validate aircraft design. when XB-1 breaks the sound barrier in flight, boom will be finalizing the design of overture, whose own rollout is on track for 2025.

project info

name: XB-1

company: boom supersonic

type: commercial aircraft breaking the speed of sound