Boom Supersonic’s XB-1 jet became the first independently developed aircraft to break the sound barrier in the Mojave Desert on Tuesday. The test flight marks a milestone in Boom’s effort to revive supersonic passenger travel, which ended with the Concorde’s retirement. The aircraft is made almost completely from lightweight carbon fiber. It uses an augmented reality vision system to help with landing since its long nose and high-angle approach can make it difficult for pilots to see. The company now focuses on its Overture airliner, designed to carry 80 passengers at twice the speed of current subsonic jets.
