Aviation startup Boom Technology has revealed the new XB-1 Supersonic Demonstrator, a speedy passenger jet which is an answer to the Concorde. Touted to cut duration of long trips by 50 percent, “Baby Boom” will change the face of supersonic air transportation. Despite being one-third the size of an actual passenger jet, the Baby boom was created with an accurate representation of style and design.
Designed to carry 44 passengers, the ticket will cost around $5,000, which the company considers affordable given the expense of airplane and its fuel. Boom says the XB-1 takes its inspiration from the Concorde, particularly in regard to its design.
The supersonic aircraft makes use of three General Electric J85-21 non-afterburning engines, Honeywell avionics, and carbon composite materials for a powerful yet lightweight aircraft. Boom had significant contributions from experts at NASA, SpaceX, and Boeing to contribute to the design process. If Boom’s XB-1 is successful in launching commercial operations, it will be the first supersonic passenger jet to do so since the Concorde was retired in 203 following 27 years of high-speed flights.
