5 days Ago By Millie Turner
THE soon-to-be supersonic XB-1 plane has flown higher than it ever has before in its most recent flight test. The super-fast jet, from Colorado-based Boom Technology, completed its eighth flight test this weekend. Advertisement 4 The flight was piloted by Tristan “Geppetto” Brandenburg Credit: Boom 4 Engineers intend to fly the plane higher, and faster, until it eventually reaches supersonic speeds of Mach 1, which is the speed of sound Credit: Boom 4 It hit speeds of Mach 0.
82 - or 499 knots, up from Mach 0.67 on its sixth flight Credit: Boom During a flight lasting approximately 54minutes, the XB-1 plane reached a new max altitude of 25,040ft. That is more than 2,000ft higher than its previous flight test.
Engineers intend to fly the plane higher, and faster, until it eventually reaches supersonic speeds of Mach 1, which is the speed of sound. At this speed, the XB-1 plane could ferry passengers from London to New York City in just 3.5hours.
Advertisement READ MORE ON AEROSPACE READY FOR WAR China flaunts 'White Emperor' fighter jet that can drop 'weapons from space' SKEW WHAT? Incredible plan for ‘wonky wing’ supersonic plane that ‘defies nature’ The eighth flight test confirmed that flying at eyewatering speeds of Mach 0.8 or 614mph is safe, even with the stability augmentation system switched off. "XB-1 cleared this requirement, confirming that the pilot can safely control the aircraft at higher speeds even in the event of a stability augmentation system failure," the team wrote in a flight test update.
Designing a plane that is stable, very fast, and doesn't rely on computerised augmentation to stay safe in the air has been a challenge, the team said. Many modern fighter jets, which can fly from Mach 1.2 to Mach 2.
5, use automated systems that make constant adjustments to the flight path in order to maintain stability. Advertisement Most read in Tech HORROR DISCOVERY Body of man found as cops close down Scots road STRONGMAN'S 'MISTAKES' Luke Stoltman breaks silence after wife accuses him of cheating Exclusive PAIR NICKED Two women arrested on Jet2 Glasgow flight after crew handled mid-air emergency LOST FOR WORDS Celtic manager STOPPED from doing post-match Rangers interview They added: "While XB-1 does have this kind of system, called the stability augmentation system, the team is assessing the aircraft with the system off at increasing speeds - this is a requirement prior to supersonic flight that XB-1 successfully cleared during this flight." A little over a week ago, the jet took off for its seventh test flight, in which it reached a new top speed.
It hit speeds of Mach 0.82 - or 499 knots, up from Mach 0.67 on its sixth flight.
Watch incredible moment BA's iconic Concorde floats down Hudson river in NYC after being restored The XB-1 made its inaugural test flight in March this year. Advertisement It is unclear when Boom will commence the ninth test flight; however, it could be in as little as two weeks' time if the company follows its current pace. Commercial supersonic flight over land has been banned in the US for more than 50 years, and about 20 years in the UK, because of the noise of sonic booms.
There have been no commercial aircraft even capable of supersonic flight since the Concorde. The aircraft were banned in the UK because they were deemed too noisy and extremely expensive to operate. Advertisement With restricted flight availability, fares were often too high for most customers.
There are an increasing number of companies trying to build supersonic aircraft, now regulators are poised to review the bans. Plans to build even faster hypersonic jets are also rolling off the shelves. Supersonic and hypersonic are basically one and the same.
Advertisement Supersonic means faster than the speed of sound. While hypersonic means specifically five times faster than the speed of sound. Read more on the Scottish Sun STAR MYSTERY 90s icon mysteriously pulls out of Scots show just hours before Hydro gig STRONGMAN'S 'MISTAKES' Luke Stoltman breaks silence after wife accuses him of cheating So anything that reaches hypersonic speeds, is also technically supersonic.
But not every supersonic aircraft is hypersonic. Advertisement Supersonic and Hypersonic Jets There are several types of hypersonic and supersonic jets. A breakdown of what's been happening in the industry and what's expected in the coming years.
Talon-A Built by Stratolaunch Reported speeds of Mach 5 The first test flight conducted in 2024 X-59 Quesst Built by Nasa and Lockheed Martin Predicted max speeds of Mach 1.4 The first test flight in 2024 - but subject to delays Venus Stargazer M4 Built by Venus Aerospace and Velontra Predicted max speeds of Mach 6 First test flight in 2025 Quarterhorse MKII Built by Hermeus Predicted max speeds of Mach 2.5 First test flight in 2026 Halcyon Built by Hermeus Predicted max speeds of Mach 5 First test flight by 2030 Nanqiang No 1 Built by China's hypersonic plane programme Predicted max speeds of Mach 6 First test flight in 2025 DART Built by Hypersonix Launch Systems Predicted max speeds of Mach 7 First test flight in 2025 4 There have been no commercial aircraft even capable of supersonic flight since the Concorde Credit: Boom.
