Ending the Supersonic Ban
The ban on supersonic flight is about to be history. On May 14, Senator Ted Budd (R-NC) and Congressman Troy Nehls (R-TX) introduced legislation to revise the regulation prohibiting supersonic flight over land. This legislation, known as the Supersonic Aviation Modernization Act, directs the FAA to update its rules and replace the decades-old ban with new noise standards. This modern regulatory framework will allow Overture to unlock more direct routes and faster travel over land.
Supersonic Without the Boom
April 27, 2025, marked the 52nd anniversary of the ban on supersonic flight over land. For over half a century, the U.S. has imposed a speed limit in the skies: a federal ban prohibiting civilian aircraft from exceeding the speed of sound over land (even when flights don’t make a sonic boom you can hear on the ground).
The outdated ban slowed down more than just flights; it stifled innovation in aviation.
193 Parts and Counting
As part of our Symphony engine development, we’re using metallic 3D printing (additive manufacturing) to produce test hardware for its sprint core. We’ve now printed 193 prototype parts. We’ll use these parts in early sub-system tests, including combustor hardware and turbine components. This phase helps us de-risk key hardware and manufacturing techniques ahead of full engine builds.
Follow us on social for updates on how we’re using additive manufacturing to drive testing forward.
She’s Home
Mission accomplished. With six supersonic runs in the record books, XB-1 completed its 13th and final flight, bringing our groundbreaking flight test program to a close. After a remarkable career, XB-1 has now returned home to our Denver headquarters.
Mojave’s Role in Supersonic History
From SpaceShipOne to XB-1, the Mojave Air & Space Port has been a critical test site for experimental aerospace programs for decades. With the completion of our flight test campaign, XB-1 joins this legacy.
Mojave offered ideal conditions for high-speed testing (predictable weather, controlled airspace, and existing support infrastructure), making it one of the few locations capable of hosting sustained supersonic research and development. As we say goodbye to Mojave, here’s a look back at its history.
