Boom Supersonic's XB-1 jet breaks sound barrier 3 times on final test flight (video, photos)

[Admin]

Boom Supersonic's XB-1 pathfinder vehicle went out in style on Monday (Feb. 10), breaking the sound barrier three times on its 13th and final test flight.

Boom Supersonic's XB-1 jet breaks sound barrier 3 times on final test flight (video, photos) : Read more

 

[Woodboy12]

Boom Supersonic's XB-1 pathfinder vehicle went out in style on Monday (Feb. 10), breaking the sound barrier three times on its 13th and final test flight.

Boom Supersonic's XB-1 jet breaks sound barrier 3 times on final test flight (video, photos) : Read more

An impressive achievement! However, I believe transitioning from a single-pilot aircraft to a certified commercial airliner is quite a significant leap.

 

[Unclear Engineer]

Seems strange that the aircraft would make only one test flight at supersonic speeds. I would think that it would be used to better define an envelope of flight conditions that produced acceptable levels of boom at various ground elevations and temperature conditions. We have terrain that exceeds 7,000' altitude, for instance. La Paz, Bolivia, is a city at 12,000 feet.