Aircraft
Boom's XB-1 Completes Second Test Flight
Company plans for the demonstrator to reach supersonic speeds this year
Boom Supersonic
© Boom Supersonic

Boom’s XB-1 supersonic demonstrator aircraft successfully completed its second test flight at the Mojave Air & Space Port in Mojave, California, this week. Chief test pilot Tristan “Geppetto” Brandenburg was at the controls for the flight, which involved the retraction and extension of the landing gear for the first time.

During the flight, tufting was applied to the right wing to verify aerodynamic characteristics. This flight also demonstrated the new digital stability augmentation system, or roll damper, which was added based on lessons learned from the first flight. The initial flight occurred in March, when the aircraft reached an altitude of 7,120 feet and a speed of 238 knots. Boom is targeting its first supersonic flight this year.

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