Boom Supersonic's XB-1 Achieves Supersonic Flight Without Audible Sonic Boom

The experimental aircraft demonstrated 'Boomless Cruise' technology, a key step toward quieter, faster commercial air travel.

Boom Supersonic's XB-1 prototype successfully broke the sound barrier multiple times during test flights without producing an audible sonic boom at ground level.
This achievement leverages a physics phenomenon called 'Mach cutoff,' where sound waves refract upward at high altitudes, preventing disruptive booms from reaching the ground.
The milestone is critical for Boom's development of the Overture, a proposed commercial airliner designed for supersonic travel at speeds up to Mach 1.7.
Overture's 'Boomless Cruise' technology aims to enable faster coast-to-coast and international flights while complying with noise regulations over land.
The XB-1's test program has concluded, and Boom Supersonic is shifting focus to scaling its findings for the Overture, which is targeted for a 2029 debut, though delays remain possible.