Boom Supersonic announced that its aircraft can fly faster than the speed of sound without producing a sonic boom audible from the ground. This breakthrough technology, called Boomless Cruise, could change aviation laws and make domestic supersonic commercial flights possible for the first time.
Current regulations prohibit planes from flying supersonic over land due to the risk of sonic booms damaging buildings. However, if successful, this technology could reduce flight times between US cities by 90 minutes, making it more attractive to airlines like American Airlines and United Airlines, which have ordered 130 aircraft.
The key to Boomless Cruise lies in a physics term called Mach cutoff. By breaking the sound barrier at high altitude, sound waves can essentially “U-turn” before reaching the ground. This technology uses powerful engines, real-time weather data, and sophisticated algorithms to predict boom propagation precisely.
While still below the speed of supersonic flight, Boom’s breakthrough brings supersonic travel closer to being a practical choice for airlines. With the support of CEO Blake Scholl and Elon Musk, who has voiced his backing for regulatory changes, this development could pave the way for faster flights in the near future.
Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/boom-supersonic-concorde-no-sonic-boom-elon-musk-backing-2025-2