View source for Boom XB-1

{{short description|Trijet supersonic demonstrator aircraft}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
<!-- This article is a part of [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft]]. Please see [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content]] for recommended layout. -->
{|{{Infobox aircraft begin
 |name= XB-1 ("Baby Boom")
 |image= File:Boom technology XB-1 baby boom.jpg
 |caption= Early design of the XB-1 demonstrator
}}{{Infobox aircraft type
 |type= Supersonic [[technology demonstrator]] aircraft
 |national origin= United States
 |manufacturer= [[Boom Technology]]
 |first flight= March 22, 2024<ref name="march222024Boom" />
 |introduced= 
 |retired= 
 |status= In flight testing as of March 2024
 |primary user=
 |more users=
 |produced=
 |number built= 1
 |developed from = 
 |developed into = 
}}
|}

The '''Boom XB-1''' "Baby Boom" is a one-third-scale [[trijet]] supersonic demonstrator designed by [[Boom Technology]] ([[doing business as|dba]] "Boom Supersonic"<ref>{{cite press release |url= https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/boom-supersonic-to-roll-out-historic-xb-1-demonstrator-oct-7-301088708.html |title= Boom Supersonic to Roll Out Historic XB-1 Demonstrator Oct. 7 |publisher= Boom Supersonic |date=July 8, 2020}}</ref>) as part of development of the [[Boom Overture]] supersonic transport airliner. Powered by three [[General Electric J85]]s,<!--ref name=AvWeek10Jul2018/--> it is planned to maintain Mach 2.2, with over {{convert|1000|nmi|lk=in}} of range.<!--<ref name=AW161115>--> The XB-1 began taxi tests in December 2022,<ref>{{cite press release |url= https://boomsupersonic.com/flyby/post/what-is-taxi-testing |title= What is Taxi Testing? |publisher= Boom Supersonic |date= Dec 13, 2022}}</ref> and conducted its maiden flight on March 22, 2024.<ref name="march222024Boom" />

==Development==
The design was unveiled in [[Denver]], Colorado, on November 15, 2016,<ref name=AW161115/> and it was initially intended to make its first subsonic flight in late 2017, powered by three [[General Electric CJ610]] turbojets (a civilian [[General Electric J85|J85]]), with subsequent supersonic [[flight testing]] at [[Edwards Air Force Base]], California.<ref name=AvWeek12oct2016>{{cite news |url= http://aviationweek.com/technology/potential-mach-22-airliner-market-pegged-260-billion |title= Potential Mach 2.2 Airliner Market Pegged At $260 Billion |date= October 12, 2016 |work= Aviation Week}}</ref>

By April 2017, enough financing was secured to build and fly it.<ref name=ATW170503>{{cite news |url= http://atwonline.com/technology/boom-ceo-sees-market-1000-supersonic-passenger-jets-2035 |title= Boom CEO sees market for 1,000 supersonic passenger jets by 2035 |date= May 3, 2017 |author= Aaron Karp |work= Air Transport World |publisher= Aviation Week }}</ref> Its preliminary design review was completed by June 2017, with a switch of engine to the military version of the J85 to take advantage of its extra thrust. It was then anticipated that flight tests would start late 2018.<ref name=AvWeek18jun2017>{{cite news |url=http://aviationweek.com/paris-air-show-2017/baby-boom-demonstrator-passes-design-review|title= 'Baby Boom' Demonstrator Passes Design Review |date= Jun 18, 2017 |author= Guy Norris |work= ShowNews |publisher= Aviation Week Network}}</ref> In 2017, the composite [[wing spar]] was load tested while being heated in a hydraulic [[testbed]] at {{cvt|300|°F}}, above the heat soak operational temperature.<!--<ref name=AvWeek5dec2017/>--> First expected supersonic flight slipped to 2019.<ref name=AvWeek5dec2017>{{cite news |url= http://aviationweek.com/commercial-aviation/jal-options-20-boom-supersonic-airliners |title= JAL Options Up to 20 Boom Supersonic Airliners |date= Dec 5, 2017 |author= Guy Norris |work= Aviation Week & Space Technology}}</ref>

By July 2018, the aerodynamic design was completed, the horizontal tail assembled, and the engines received.<!--<ref name=AvWeek10Jul2018>--> [[The Spaceship Company|The Spaceship Co.]], manufacturer of [[Virgin Galactic]]'s vehicles, was announced as a partner for flight tests in [[Mojave, California]].<ref name=AvWeek10Jul2018>{{cite news |url= http://aviationweek.com/propulsion/boom-focuses-derivative-engines-supersonic-airliner-plan |title= Boom Focuses On Derivative Engines For Supersonic Airliner Plan |date= Jul 10, 2018 |author= Guy Norris |work= Aviation Week & Space Technology}}</ref> Flight tests were delayed again for 2019 due to challenging aerodynamics and further engine change; from the {{convert|3,500|lbf}} J85-21 to the {{cvt|4,300|lbf|kN}} J85-15.<ref name=AvWeek10Jul2018/>

The XB-1 design went through three sets of wind tunnel tests. The first indicated that predicted calibration was off by 30%. The second set of tests confirmed accurate calibration, and a third set of tests confirmed design safety.<!--ref name=AvWeek23jan2019--> The tunnel testing finished in November 2018, including takeoff and landing with gear doors' impact on stability as well as [[Components of jet engines#Supersonic inlets|supersonic inlet]] testing. These tests had taken a decade on [[Concorde]].<!--ref name=AvWeek23jan2019--> The carbon-fiber layup of the fuselage halves was to begin in early 2019 for final assembly of the forward fuselage at the beginning of Spring.<!--ref name=AvWeek23jan2019--> With total investment rising to $200 million, Boom was funded for XB-1 flight-testing to the end of 2020.<ref name=AvWeek23jan2019>{{cite news |url =http://aviationweek.com/commercial-aviation/boom-advances-overture-supersonic-airliner-demonstrator-takes-shape |title= Boom Advances Overture Supersonic Airliner As Demonstrator Takes Shape |date= Jan 23, 2019 |author= Graham Warwick |work= Aviation Week & Space Technology}}</ref> 
At the June 2019 [[Paris Air Show]], Blake Scholl announced the date for first flight was pushed out to 2020, six months later than previously planned after including a [[stability augmentation system]] for better safety at high speed and at take-off and landing.<ref name="Flight19jun2019">{{cite news |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/paris-boom-xb-1-schedule-slips-while-jal-eyes-ove-459129/ |title= Boom XB-1 schedule slips, while JAL eyes Overture |date= 19 June 2019 |author= Greg Waldron |work= flightglobal}}</ref>

In February 2020, with the completion of Boom's second simulator, tests began on XB-1 flight controls and system integration.<ref name=Boom7apr2022>{{Cite press release |title=Boom's latest flight simulator advances flight test program for supersonic demonstrator |url=https://boomsupersonic.com/flyby/post/booms-latest-flight-simulator-advances-flight-test-program-for-supersonic-demonstrator |date= April 7, 2020 |publisher= Boom Supersonic}}</ref> Static wing loading tests were carried out in March 2020, and the wings were mated to the fuselage in April<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hemmerdinger |first1=Jon |title=Boom mates supersonic XB-1's wings with fuselage |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/airframers/boom-mates-supersonic-xb-1s-wings-with-fuselage/138385.article |work=Flight Global |date=May 14, 2020 |language=en}}</ref> with the aft fuselage nearing completion in May.<ref>{{Cite web |title= Boom Technology's Supersonic jet with 1,700mph top speed ready for test flight |url= https://zeenews.india.com/world/boom-technologys-supersonic-jet-with-1700mph-top-speed-ready-for-test-flight-2295545.html |date=2020-07-13 |website= [[Zee News]]}}</ref>{{better source needed|reason=An aviation media ref would better suit an aircraft news than a generalist news outlet|date=December 2022}} Engines and landing gear were installed later in August and September 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Boom - XB-1 Timeline |url= https://boomsupersonic.com/xb-1/timeline |access-date=2022-07-20 |website=BOOM Supersonic |language=en}}</ref>

=== Testing ===
On October 7, 2020, Boom rolled out the XB-1 in a promotional, with an announcement that the [[maiden flight]] was expected in 2021.<ref>{{cite news |title=Boom rolls out XB-1 supersonic demonstrator, lays out Overture timeline |author= Jon Hemmerdinger |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/airframers/boom-rolls-out-xb-1-supersonic-demonstrator-lays-out-overture-timeline/140513.article |work= FlightGlobal |date= 7 October 2020}}</ref> In early 2021, it was expected to be flight tested around September 2022.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hemmerdinger |first1=Jon |title=First flight of Boom's XB-1 demonstrator could happen next year: CEO |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/airframers/first-flight-of-booms-xb-1-demonstrator-could-happen-next-year-ceo/143485.article |work=Flight Global |date=27 April 2021}}</ref> On July 26, 2021, Boom began testing and evaluating a [[Enhanced flight vision system|forward-looking vision system]] (FLVS) as part of preparations for flight tests of the XB-1.<ref>{{cite news |title=Boom Tests Vision System For XB-1 Supersonic Demonstrator |url=https://aviationweek.com/air-transport/aircraft-propulsion/boom-tests-vision-system-xb-1-supersonic-demonstrator |publisher=Aviation Week |date=July 26, 2021 |ref=14}}</ref>

In January 2022, Boom began conducting engine run-ups using the XB-1, in preparation for taxi tests and the first flight later in 2022.<ref>{{Cite tweet|title=Plane spotters: Spied anything new on APA/KAPA's taxiways lately? Engine runs on our supersonic demonstrator are underway.|user=boomaero |number=1484996055993311239|date=22 January 2022}}</ref> In May 2022, ground testing was completed with engine run up done on all three engines. Undercarriage and flight systems were tested and deemed ready. Taxi runs and actual flight runs were expected in late 2022.{{cn|date=June 2024}} Further delays {{as of|February 2023|lc=y}} pushed the expected first flight to mid-2023.<ref name="HIBT">{{cite podcast|last=Scholl|first=Blake|title=How I Built This -Transcript|url=https://steno.ai/how-i-built-this-with-guy/hibt-lab-boom-supersonic-blake-scholl|date=February 23, 2023|time=29:06|access-date=March 11, 2023}} " We're going to take it down to the [[Mojave Desert]] for flight test probably around the middle of this year."</ref>

In August 2023, the aircraft received its experimental certification of airworthiness from the [[Federal Aviation Administration|FAA]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://aviationweek.com/air-transport/safety-ops-regulation/faa-clears-boom-supersonic-xb-1-flight-tests |title=FAA Clears Boom Supersonic For XB-1 Flight Tests |publisher=Aviation Week |date=August 24, 2023 |access-date=2024-02-27}}</ref> Medium-speed taxi testing was performed in November 2023, with the aircraft reaching a top speed of 94 knots.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://boomsupersonic.com/xb-1 |title=Boom - XB-1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240219143917/https://boomsupersonic.com/xb-1 |access-date=2024-02-27|archive-date=February 19, 2024 }}</ref> Following testing, in January 2024 Boom delayed the first test flight to early 2024 to implement safety improvements. The three improvements identified were upgrading the landing gear for increased reliability, optimizing engine intakes for improved resistance to engine stall, and adjusting the aircraft's dampers for improved stability and control.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://boomsupersonic.com/xb-1 |title=Boom - XB-1 |website= boomsupersonic.com}}</ref>

The XB-1 took its first flight on March 22, 2024, flown by Chief Test Pilot Bill "Doc" Shoemaker from [[Mojave Air and Space Port]].<ref name="march222024Boom">{{cite web |title=Boom Announces Successful Flight of XB-1 Demonstrator Aircraft |url=https://boomsupersonic.com/flyby/inaugural-first-flight-xb1-supersonic-demonstrator?utm_source=TW&utm_medium=static&utm_campaign=XB1FF&utm_content=xb1_firstflight |website=Boom Supersonic |publisher=Boom Technology |access-date=22 March 2024 |date=22 March 2024}}</ref>

On April 16, 2024, the FAA issued a special license for the XB-1 to exceed Mach 1 at the nearby ''Black Mountain Supersonic Corridor''. Test flights to Mach 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3 are planned for later in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-04-16 |title=Boom - FlyBy - XB-1 to Mach 1 |url=https://boomsupersonic.com/flyby/xb1-prepares-for-first-supersonic-special-flight-authorization |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=Boom Supersonic |language=en-US}}</ref>

On August 26, 2024, the XB-1 lifted off from Mojave, California, for its second test flight, piloted by chief test pilot Tristan “Geppetto” Brandenburg.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-31 |title=XB-1’s Second Flight Sets the Stage for Supersonic Comeback: Boom Supersonic Advances Testing Program - TechGyve |url=https://techgyve.com/xb-1s-second-flight-sets-the-stage-for-supersonic-comeback-boom-supersonic-advances-testing-program/ |access-date=2024-08-31 |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Design==
[[File:Boom XB-1 mockup Wings Over the Rockies 2023.jpg|thumb|right|A non-flying mockup of the XB-1 at [[Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum]]]]
The XB-1 Baby Boom is {{convert|68|ft}} long with a {{cvt|17|feet|m}} wingspan and a {{convert|13,500|lb|adj=on}} [[maximum take-off weight]].<!--<ref name=AW161115/>--> Powered by three  [[General Electric J85|J85-15]] engines with variable geometry inlets and exhaust, the prototype should be able to sustain Mach 2.2 with more than {{cvt|1000|nmi}} of range.<ref name=AW161115/> As a technology demonstrator for the Boom Overture, the XB-1's [[trijet]] configuration matched that of the Overture. In 2022, the Overture was redesigned to a [[quadjet]] configuration.{{cn|date=June 2024}} The XB-1 retains the original trijet configuration.

It has a planned two-crew cockpit, with only one seat being fully developed in the demonstrator, and features a [[Chine (aeronautics)|chined]] fore-body and swept [[trailing edge]]s.<ref name="AW161115">{{cite news |url= http://aviationweek.com/commercial-aviation/baby-boom-supersonic-demonstrator-unveiled |title= 'Baby Boom' Supersonic Demonstrator Unveiled |date= 15 November 2016 |author= Guy Norris |work= Aviation Week}}</ref> For thermal control, the [[environmental control system]] uses the fuel as a [[heat sink]] to absorb cabin heat.<ref name="AvWeek5dec2017" /> The space for a second seat is taken up by testing equipment.<ref name=Boom25aug2020>{{Cite press release |title=From tip to tail: XB-1 nears full assembly |url=https://boomsupersonic.com/flyby/post/from-tip-to-tail-xb-1-nears-full-assembly |date= Aug 25, 2020 |website= Boom Supersonic}}</ref>

===Materials===
The XB-1 is constructed of lightweight composites, titanium and stainless steel.<ref name=Boom25aug2020 /> Materials for the hot [[leading edge]]s and {{cvt|307|°F}} nose, and [[epoxy]] materials for cooler parts, are provided by Dutch [[TenCate Advanced Composites]], high-temperature materials supplier for the SpaceX [[Falcon 9]].<ref name=AvWeek5dec2017/> The [[airframe]] will be primarily intermediate-modulus [[carbon fiber]]/epoxy, with high-[[elastic modulus|modulus]] fibers for the wing spar caps and [[bismaleimide]] [[pre-preg]] for the high-temperature leading edges and ribs.<ref name=AvWeek5dec2017/> The rear section of fuselage containing the engines is made from 90% titanium and 10% A286 stainless steel alloys.<ref name=Boom25aug2020 />

==Specifications (preliminary)==
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=Aviation Week<ref name=AW161115/>{{update inline|date=August 2020}}
|prime units?=kts
|crew= 1
|length ft=68
|span ft=17
|max takeoff weight lb=13,500
|eng1 number=3
|eng1 type=[[turbojet]]
|eng1 name=[[General Electric J85]]-15<ref name=AvWeek10Jul2018/>
|eng1 lbf=4,300<ref name=AvWeek10Jul2018/>
|max speed mach=2.2
|range nmi=1,000
|crew note=(Design allows for a second seat)
|height m=5.2
|height ft=17
}}

==See also==
{{aircontent
|see also=
* [[Supersonic transport]]
* [[Supersonic business jet]]
* [[Lockheed Martin X-59 QueSST]]
|related=
* [[Boom Overture]]
|similar aircraft=
|lists=
}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|https://boomsupersonic.com/xb-1}}

{{Boom aircraft}}
{{Supersonic transport}}

[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 2024]]
[[Category:Prototypes]]
[[Category:Supersonic aircraft]]
[[Category:Trijets]]