Boom’s XB-1 supersonic demonstrator aircraft successfully completed its second flight on August 26, showcasing significant advancements in its development. This milestone follows the aircraft’s successful inaugural flight in March.
During the recent test, the XB-1 team successfully retracted and extended the landing gear for the first time, a standard procedure in second test flights. The team also evaluated the aircraft’s handling qualities and activated a new digital stability augmentation system, or roll damper, to improve performance based on lessons learned from the first flight.
To assess the aircraft’s aerodynamic characteristics, tufting was applied to the right wing to observe airflow patterns. The XB-1 flew for approximately 15 minutes, reaching an altitude of 10,400 feet and speeds of 232 knots.
With these two flights successfully completed, Boom will now begin to expand the flight envelope to confirm the XB-1’s performance and handling qualities through and beyond Mach 1. This includes in-flight system checks and multiple test points to ensure safe margins for flutter. The team plans to conduct approximately 10 flights before reaching supersonic speeds later this year.
