Boom XB-1

The Boom XB-1 "Baby Boom" is a one-third-scale trijet supersonic demonstrator designed by Boom Technology (dba "Boom Supersonic"[2]) as part of development of the Boom Overture supersonic transport airliner. It is planned to maintain Mach 2.2, with over 1,000 nmi (1,900 km) of range. Powered by three General Electric J85s, it is expected to be flight tested in 2021.[1]

XB-1
Early design of the XB-1 demonstrator
Role Supersonic technology demonstrator aircraft
National origin United States
Manufacturer Boom Technology
First flight Planned for 2021[1]

Development

The design was unveiled in Denver on November 15, 2016[3] and it was initially intended to make its first subsonic flight in late 2017, powered by three General Electric CJ610 turbojets (a civilian J85), with subsequent supersonic flight testing at Edwards AFB.[4]

By April 2017, enough financing was secured to build and fly it.[5] 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 the extra thrust. It was then anticipated that flight tests would start late 2018.[6] In 2017, the composite wing spar was load tested while being heated in an hydraulic testbed at 300 °F (149 °C), above the heat soak operational temperature. First expected supersonic flight slipped to 2019.[7]

By July 2018, the aerodynamic design was completed, the horizontal tail assembled and the engines received. The Spaceship Co., manufacturer of Virgin Galactic’s vehicles, was announced as a partner for flight tests in Mojave, California.[8] Flight tests were delayed again for 2019 due to challenging aerodynamics and engines change from 3,500 lbf (16 kN) J85-21 to 4,300 lbf (19 kN) J85-15.[8]

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. Tunnel testing finished in November 2018, including takeoff and landing with gear doors impact on stability; and supersonic inlet testing. These tests had taken a decade on Concorde. 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. With total investment rising to $200 million, Boom was funded for XB-1 flight-testing to the end of 2020.[9]

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.[10]

Static wing loading tests were carried out in March 2020, and the wings were mated to the fuselage in April[11] with the aft fuselage nearing completion in May.[12]

On October 7, 2020, Boom rolled out the XB-1, with the maiden flight expected in 2021.[13]

Design

The XB-1 Baby Boom is 68 ft (21 m) long, has a 17 ft (5.2 m) wingspan and a 13,500 lb (6,100 kg) maximum take-off weight. Powered by three non-afterburning J85-15 engines with variable geometry inlets and exhaust, the prototype should be able to sustain Mach 2.2 with more than 1,000 nmi (1,900 km) of range. It has a two-crew cockpit, chined forebody and swept trailing edges.[3] For thermal control, the environmental control system uses the fuel as a heat sink to dump cabin heat.[7]

Materials

The XB-1 is constructed of lightweight composites. Materials for the hot leading edges and 307 °F (153 °C) nose, and epoxy materials for cooler parts, are provided by Dutch TenCate Advanced Composites, high-temperature materials supplier for the SpaceX Falcon 9. The airframe will be primarily intermediate-modulus carbon fiber/epoxy, with high-modulus fibers for the wing spar caps and bismaleimide prepreg for the high-temperature leading edges and ribs.

Specifications

Data from Aviation Week[3]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 68 ft (21 m)
  • Wingspan: 17 ft (5.2 m)
  • Max takeoff weight: 13,500 lb (6,123 kg)
  • Powerplant: 3 × General Electric J85-15[8] turbojet, 4,300[8] lbf (19 kN) thrust each

Performance

  • Maximum speed: Mach 2.2
  • Range: 1,000 nmi (1,200 mi, 1,900 km)

See also

Related development

References
  1. O'Connor, Kate (10 July 2020). "Boom Sets Date For XB-1 Rollout". AVweb. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  2. Boom Supersonic to Roll Out Historic XB-1 Demonstrator Oct. 7
  3. Guy Norris (15 November 2016). "'Baby Boom' Supersonic Demonstrator Unveiled". Aviation Week.
  4. "Potential Mach 2.2 Airliner Market Pegged At $260 Billion". Aviation Week. October 12, 2016.
  5. Aaron Karp (May 3, 2017). "Boom CEO sees market for 1,000 supersonic passenger jets by 2035". Air Transport World. Aviation Week.
  6. Guy Norris (Jun 18, 2017). "'Baby Boom' Demonstrator Passes Design Review". ShowNews. Aviation Week Network.
  7. Guy Norris (Dec 5, 2017). "JAL Options Up to 20 Boom Supersonic Airliners". Aviation Week & Space Technology.
  8. Guy Norris (Jul 10, 2018). "Boom Focuses On Derivative Engines For Supersonic Airliner Plan". Aviation Week & Space Technology.
  9. Graham Warwick (Jan 23, 2019). "Boom Advances Overture Supersonic Airliner As Demonstrator Takes Shape". Aviation Week & Space Technology.
  10. Greg Waldron (19 June 2019). "Boom XB-1 schedule slips, while JAL eyes Overture". flightglobal.
  11. Hemmerdinger, Jon (May 14, 2020). "Boom mates supersonic XB-1's wings with fuselage". Flight Global.
  12. "Boom Technology's Supersonic jet with 1,700mph top speed ready for test flight". The Indian Hawk | Indian Defence News. Retrieved 2020-07-14.
  13. Jon Hemmerdinger (7 October 2020). "Boom rolls out XB-1 supersonic demonstrator, lays out Overture timeline". FlightGlobal.
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