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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 was expected to be flight tested around September 2022.[3]

This article reads like a press release or a news article and may be largely based on routine coverage. (August 2022)

XB-1 ("Baby Boom")
Early design of the XB-1 demonstrator
Role	Supersonic technology demonstrator aircraft Type of aircraft
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	Boom Technology
First flight	Planned for fall 2022[1]
Status	Under development
Number built	1

Development

The design was unveiled in Denver on November 15, 2016,[4] 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 Air Force Base.[5]

By April 2017, enough financing was secured to build and fly it.[6] 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.[7] In 2017, the composite wing spar was load tested while being heated in a hydraulic testbed at 300 °F (149 °C), above the heat soak operational temperature. First expected supersonic flight slipped to 2019.[8]

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.[9] Flight tests were delayed again for 2019 due to challenging aerodynamics and further engine change; from the 3,500 lbf (16 kN) J85-21 to the 4,300 lbf (19 kN) J85-15.[9]

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 as well as 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.[10]

In February 2020, with the completion of Boom's second simulator, tests began on XB-1 flight controls and system integration.[11]

Static wing loading tests were carried out in March 2020, and the wings were mated to the fuselage in April[12] with the aft fuselage nearing completion in May.[13] Engines and landing gear were installed later in August and September 2020.[14]

On July 26, 2021, Boom began testing and evaluating a forward-looking vision system (FLVS) as part of preparations for flight tests of the XB-1.[15] The space for a second seat is taken up by testing equipment.[16]

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-after-burning 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.[4]

It has a planned two-crew cockpit, with only one seat being fully developed in the demonstrator, and features a chined fore-body and swept trailing edges.[4] For thermal control, the environmental control system uses the fuel as a heat sink to absorb cabin heat.[8]

One of the issues associated with this type of aircraft is external visibility while at close quarters, so Boom have a solution for this problem with introduction of a screen in center of the instrument panel, giving pilot unobstructed views regardless of attitude of plane.[17]Also as part of its development, a flight simulator along with a flight test program was devised to help evaluate flight characteristics and provide feed back into the design processes.[11]

Materials

The XB-1 is constructed of lightweight composites, titanium and A286.[16] 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.[8] The airframe will be primarily intermediate-modulus carbon fiber/epoxy, with high-modulus fibers for the wing spar caps and bismaleimide pre-preg for the high-temperature leading edges and ribs.[8] The rear section of fuselage containing the engines is made from 90% titanium and 10% A286 stainless steel alloys.[16]

Testing

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.[18]

On October 7, 2020, Boom rolled out the XB-1 in a promotional, with an announcement that the maiden flight was expected in 2021.[19]

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.[20] 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 are due late 2022.[17]

Specifications (preliminary)

Data from Aviation Week[4]^{[needs update]}

General characteristics

• Crew: 1 (Design allows for a second seat)
• Length: 68 ft (21 m)
• Wingspan: 17 ft (5.2 m)
• Height: 17 ft 0 in (5.2 m)
• Max takeoff weight: 13,500 lb (6,123 kg)
• Powerplant: 3 × General Electric J85-15[9] turbojet, 4,300[9] lbf (19 kN) thrust each

Performance

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

See also

• Supersonic transport
• Supersonic business jet
• Lockheed Martin X-59 QueSST

Related development

• Boom Overture

References

External links

• Official website

На других языках

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[de] Boom XB-1

Die Boom XB-1, genannt Baby Boom, ist ein sich in Entwicklung befindender zweisitziger experimenteller Technologieträger für ein geplantes Überschallflugzeug namens Overture des US-amerikanischen Start-up-Luftfahrtunternehmens Boom Technology. Der Erstflug ist für 2022 geplant.[1][2]

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- [en] Boom XB-1

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[fr] Boom XB-1

Le Boom XB-1 « Baby Boom » est un démonstrateur à l'échelle d'un tiers d'un triréacteur supersonique conçu par Boom Technology (alias « Boom Supersonic[1] ») sur le chemin du développement de l'avion supersonique de transport Boom Overture.

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[it] Boom XB-1 Baby Boom

Il Boom XB-1 Baby Boom è un aeroplano sperimentale a basso boom sonico in via di sviluppo da parte della Boom Technology in collaborazione con la Virgin Galactic. Il dimostratore tecnologico è un modello in scala 1 a 3, precursore di un velivolo da trasporto civile supersonico da 55 posti (il Boom Overture). Il primo volo di prova è previsto nel corso del 2021 presso lo spazioporto di Mojave in California.[1][2]

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