#OnThisDay in 1970: Concorde 002 Reaches Mach 2 for the First Time

On November 12th, 1970, Concorde 002 (G-BSST), the first British prototype of the iconic supersonic airliner, made history by reaching Mach 2 — twice the speed of sound — for the first time. This remarkable achievement marked a major milestone in the development of Concorde, demonstrating its potential for supersonic flight.

Earlier the previous year, Concorde 002 made its first flight in April 1969, soaring from Filton to RAF Fairford. RAF Fairford would go on to serve as the base for the aircraft’s development and testing programme, playing a key role in shaping the future of supersonic aviation.

Concorde 002’s Mach 2 flight was a critical step in validating the aircraft’s capabilities, paving the way for the supersonic jet to eventually enter commercial service in 1976.