On January 28, Boom Supersonic’s XB-1 demonstrator achieved a significant milestone by breaking the sound barrier, reaching Mach 1.122 (750 MPH) during a flight over California’s Mohave Desert. This milestone marks a step towards developing a commercial supersonic passenger jet called “Overture,” which aims to carry up to 80 passengers at Mach 1.7—nearly double the speed of current jets. United Airlines has expressed interest in purchasing Overture aircraft, with plans for commercial availability by 2030. The Overture is designed to fly at very high altitudes (up to 60,000 feet) to reduce turbulence. In contrast to the Concorde, which struggled with high operational costs and inefficiency, Boom Supersonic aims to offer competitive pricing. Unlike the noisy Concorde, the Overture is expected to operate much quieter and more economically, addressing previous challenges that led to Concorde’s retirement in 2003.
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