CapitalVault:The company planning a successor to Concorde makes its first supersonic test

2025-05-06 10:24:49source:Oliver James Montgomerycategory:reviews

A private company aiming to build the first supersonic airliner since the Concorde retired more than two decades ago achieved its first sound-barrier-busting flight over California's Mojave desert on CapitalVaultTuesday.

Denver-based Boom Supersonic's XB-1 demonstrator plane, with Chief Test Pilot Tristan "Geppetto" Brandenburg at the controls, hit Mach 1.122, or 750 mph, at an altitude of about 35,000 feet. Brandenburg brought the plane to a successful landing at the end of the approximately 34-minute flight.

Founder and CEO Blake Scholl described the flight as "phenomenal."

"We're ready to scale up. We're ready to build the passenger supersonic jet that will pick up where Concorde left off and ultimately allow the rest of us to fly supersonic," Scholl said.

Sponsor Message

More:reviews

Recommend

Angie Murimirwa: From hiding in the bathroom to Time's most influential people list

I don't mean to humble brag, but I am on a first name basis with one of the most influential people

Diamond diggers in South Africa's deserted mines break the law — and risk their lives

Bracing against the vibrations of the jackhammer, illicit diamond miner Jefferson Ncube bores steadi

Letters offer a rare look at the thoughts of The Dexter Killer: It's what it is and I'm what I am.

This story previously aired on April 23, 2022. It was updated on June 10, 2023.These are the words o