XB-1

2023 – Flight testing begins

2021-2022 – Systems Integration & Engine Runs

XB-1 completes key test points, culminating in its first low speed taxi.

10.2020 – Rollout

XB-1 is fully assembled and revealed to the world for the first time.

09.2020 – Weight on wheels

XB-1 stands on its own for the first time, with the full weight of the aircraft on wheels.

8.2020 – Engines and inlets installed

Three J85-15 engines and supersonic inlets are installed to the aft fuselage.

08.2020 – Aft fuselage install

The fully titanium aft is joined to the forward fuselage.

07.2020 – Nose landing gear passed drop tests

The nose landing gear passed a series of drop tests at incrementally higher energy limits, validating this component’s performance up to an extreme 184 kts (212 mph) landing.

06.2020 – Forward fuselage closeout

The final significant bonding operation, closing of the forward fuselage, is complete.

03.2020 – Wing testing

A simulation of the most extreme flight conditions validated the wing design and approved the structure safe for flight.

03.2020 – Lefthand fuselage skin install

As the single largest-scale bond event, the left hand skin install completely closed the fuselage structure and set the final shape of the aircraft.

02.2020 – First flight of second-generation simulator

Assembly of the second-generation simulator enabled teams to finalize aircraft flight control design and enhance the pilot training program.

01.2020 – Wing closeout

The wing structure transformed from a skeleton frame to a completely closed unit, during this eight-hour bond event.

12.2019 – Nose landing gear and cockpit bond

This twenty hour bond event joined the nose landing gear bay and cockpit together, sealing the structure into the right hand fuselage skin.