Boom Supersonic, the American company building what promises to be the world’s fastest airliner, broke the sound barrier for its first time with a test flight in Mojave, California, on Tuesday.

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

Boom Supersonic CEO Blake Scholl said the Mach 1.7 Overture will keep the US aviation industry ahead of China in the commercial market.