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XB-1 in Mojave

The world’s first independently developed supersonic jet

Designed, built, and tested in Centennial, Colorado, XB-1 recently moved to the Mojave Air & Space Port to continue flight preparations.

Built for speed

XB-1’s carbon composite and titanium fuselage is propelled by three General Electric J85 engines.

Aerodynamic Balance

The ogive (modified delta) wing balances low-speed performance for takeoff and landing with high-speed, supersonic flight performance.

Safety Diligence

The XB-1 team has completed hundreds of hours in the simulator for aircraft evaluation, operations development, and human factors assessments.

An Up-Close Look at XB-1

XB-1 Taxi Testing

XB-1 has continued extensive ground testing since arriving at the Mojave Air & Space Port. Watch the latest taxi testing from August 2023.

XB-1 Rollout

Every feature of this aircraft is optimized for supersonic performance. Explore each of these key components.

XB-1 Program Developments

A look at XB-1’s progress towards first flight.

8.23 – XB-1 Advances Flight Preparations

XB-1 progresses through extensive ground testing and receives an experimental airworthiness certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), following a detailed aircraft inspection.

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3.23 – XB-1 in Mojave

XB-1 arrives in Mojave to continue ground testing and preparations for first flight.

2021-2022 – Systems Integration & Engine Runs

XB-1 completes the activation and testing of all of XB-1’s internal subsystems and engine runs, culminating in the first low speed taxi test in November 2022.

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10.20 – Rollout

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

9.20 – Weight on wheels

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

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8.20 – Engines and inlets installed

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

8.20 – Aft fuselage install

The fully titanium aft fuselage is joined to the forward fuselage.

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7.20 – Nose landing gear passed drop tests

The nose landing gear passed a series of drop tests at incrementally higher energy limits, verifying the landing gear’s performance up to an extreme of 184 kts (212 mph) at 15 feet per second decent rate.

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6.20 – Forward fuselage closeout

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

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3.20 – Wing testing

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

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3.20 – Lefthand fuselage skin install

The left hand skin install was the largest single bond operation, closing out the the left and right sides of the fuselage and providing a glimpse of the aircraft’s final shape.

2.20 – 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.

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1.20 – Wing closeout

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

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12.19 – 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.

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Mojave: Home to History

XB-1 will add to the list of historic aviation events in Mojave as the world’s first independently developed supersonic jet.

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