Boom Supersonic’s experimental aircraft, the XB-1, has officially broken the sound barrier, marking a major advancement in supersonic aviation technology and bringing commercial supersonic travel one step closer to reality.
Fighter jets equipped with a “miracle afterburner” could completely rewrite the rules of aerial combat. Chinese researchers are claiming to have developed a near-perfectly efficient afterburner for jet engines, promising a significant leap forward in fighter jet capabilities. If these claims hold up, aircraft equipped with this technology will gain a major advantage, not only in terms of speed but also in terms of endurance and performance under extreme conditions.
Beijing-based Lingkong Tianxing Technology, also known as Space Transportation, has successfully tested a prototype aircraft capable of reaching Mach 4, which is equivalent to approximately 4,930 km/h. This achievement places the company’s technology at twice the speed of the Concorde, which was one of the most iconic supersonic passenger jets, capable of flying at around 2,150 km/h. This leap in speed represents a significant advancement in supersonic aviation, heralding a new era of ultra-fast travel for both civilian and potential military applications.
In the two decades following the Concorde’s last journey, the quest for supersonic commercial flight has reignited with the emergence of the Boom Supersonic XB-1. This aircraft, dubbed “Baby Boom,” represents a significant leap towards the return of faster-than-sound air travel. Its first major tests took place at the Mojave Air & Space Airport in California, marking a pivotal moment in aviation history.
NASA, in collaboration with Lockheed Martin, recently showcased a groundbreaking development in aviation: the X-59 Quiet Supersonic Technology (Quesst) jet. This aircraft, unveiled with much anticipation, is not just another supersonic plane; it’s an innovative leap forward in overcoming one of aviation’s long-standing challenges—the sonic boom.