‘Son of Concorde’ jet that can go from London to New York in 3.5 hours smashes high speed test
The jet nicknamed the 'Son of Concorde' has just hit a new top speed in its latest test flight.
Known in the aviation world as the XB-1 plane, manufactured by Boom Technology, the supersonic aircraft could theoretically travel from London to New York in just three and a half hours - the route normally takes about eight hours with today's technology.
It's a potential game changer, having completed its first of 10 test flights in March this year, as it is set to follow in the footsteps of its predecessor, Concorde, which was retired in 2003.
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Having proved to be an inefficient way to fly in terms of fuel usage and after costing too much to the average traveller, the final straw was the sheer sound of the aircraft before it broke the sound barrier, startling those on the ground.
It would cruise at a speed of about 1,350mph, whereas most commercial flights today get along at speeds of up to 575mph at most.
According to an update released by Boom just yesterday (5 November), the XB-1 hit a new top speed of Mach 0.81 or 499 knots true airspeed, better understood by the general public as about 620 mph.
A far cry from the Concorde's top speeds, but it's a step in the right direction with three subsonic test flights to go.
The Boom Technology aircraft flew at a new max altitude, 23,015ft, which is 3,000 ft more than flight six.
This test flight focused on 'flutter envelope expansion' and 'cockpit pressure testing' to ensure safe performance as the aircraft is pushed to quicker speeds and higher altitudes.
The pilot at the helm, Tristan 'Geppetto' Brandenberg, has previously described the experience of manning the aircraft as 'fantastic', and is sure that the plane is on its way to signal the return of supersonic air travel.
Next for the team is to proceed up to 30,000 feet, which is the altitude the XB-1 is planned to fly at to reach supersonic speeds in the future.
The update further read: "XB-1 continues to perform at progressively faster speeds and higher altitudes, expanding the flight envelope gradually to prepare the aircraft and team for breaking the sound barrier at Mach 1."
It is not known when the eighth test flight will take place, as in September and October this year, there have been three flights in the space of about three and a half weeks.
As supersonic flight has been banned in the US for 50 years and the UK for 20 years, the reintroduction of this form of air travel through the XB-1 would be groundbreaking.
Boom isn't alone in developing a supersonic aircraft though, as NASA and Lockheed Martin are also at work - UK's aerospace watchdog has since said it will review its ban on supersonic travel.
Topics: Technology, Travel, Science
Joshua Nair