The Colorado-based company is aiming to build a Concorde-like supersonic aircraft—but has hurdles to clear before realizing that goal.

A supersonic jet built by Boom Technology broke the sound barrier for the first time Tuesday, advancing its bid to resurrect high-speed passenger flights.

Boom Supersonic's XB-1 made history on Tuesday by becoming the first civil aircraft to break the sound barrier. Before Tuesday, no civil private manufacturer had passed the sound barrier with an aircraft it had developed.