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USAF apologises for 'inadvertent' sonic boom

News imageGetty Images A F-15E plane flying in the sky.Getty Images
The pilot was flying an F15-E when he reached supersonic speeds

The US Air Force has apologised after a pilot inadvertently reached supersonic speed during routine training.

A sonic boom was heard by people over parts of Cambridgeshire and Norfolk on Thursday, just before 15:00 BST.

A 48th Fighter Wing spokesperson said: "A US Air Force F-15E pilot inadvertently reached supersonic speed during routine training.

"We apologise for any disturbance this may have caused residents, and we appreciate the community's patience and support as we conduct essential training to maintain the highest levels of readiness for our collective defence."

News imageGetty Images A grey fighter jet flying across a blue sky and creating a cloud-like pressure wave towards its tail.Getty Images
Sonic booms happen when a shockwave rapidly compresses and decompresses the air

A sonic boom occurs when an aircraft travels faster than the speed of sound, generating shockwaves that rapidly compress and decompress the air.

Supersonic flight over land is rare and only authorised in exceptional circumstances.

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