Sonic BOOM over Britain: Millions hear ‘explosion’ as RAF Typhoon breaks sound barrier while soaring over Cambridge and London to intercept private jet
- Millions of people across the South reported hearing a sonic boom at lunchtime
- Heard across Hertfordshire, Essex, Kent, Cambridge, north and south London
- Military tracking sites suggested it was fighter plane breaking the sound barrier
A sonic boom was heard by millions of people as an RAF Typhoon broke the sound barrier after it was scrambled to intercept a private jet this afternoon.
Residents across Hertfordshire, Essex, Kent, Cambridge, north and south London reported hearing an ‘explosion’ shortly after 1pm today.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed that the RAF Typhoon Quick Reaction Alert jets were launched from RAF Coningsby in Linconlnshire.
The two Typhoons were launched to intercept a private jet – understood to be travelling from Germany – that had lost communications with air traffic control.
The jets are authorised to go supersonic if necessary – which is why the boom was heard.
The the RAF Typhoon Quick Reaction Alert jets were launched from RAF Coningsby in Linconlnshire
Residents across Hertfordshire, Essex, Kent, Cambridge, north and south London reported hearing an ‘explosion’ shortly after 1pm today
The two Typhoons were launched from Coningsby to intercept a private jet that had lost communications with air traffic control
The RAF’s (QRA) aircraft are held at immediate readiness to protect the UK and can take off within minutes
An RAF spokesman told MailOnline: ‘The RAF can confirm Quick Reaction Alert Typhoon aircraft were launched this afternoon from RAF Coningsby to intercept a civilian aircraft that had lost communications; subsequently, communications were re-established, the aircraft was intercepted and safely escorted to Stansted.
‘The Typhoon aircraft were authorised to transit at supersonic speed for operational reasons.’
QRA procedures entail RAF aircraft and crews being held at continuous high readiness 24/7, so that they can take off within minutes to protect UK and NATO sovereign airspace.
In the UK and the FI the RAF hold a continuous ground readiness posture.
The jet was escorted safely into Stansted Airport by 2pm.
TV presenter Rylan Clark-Neal tweeted: ‘Wish I’d checked Twitter before I decided to single handedly, automatic wine opener in hand inspect upstairs thinking a flying burglar had broken into my loft that was bloody loud.’
The bang was heard this afternoon, setting off car alarms and shaking windows.
It was also captured on CCTV cameras across the South Coast.
Depending on the aircraft’s altitude, a sonic boom will be heard at ground level two to 60 seconds after it breaks the speed of sound.
The distance from which the boom can be heard is approximately one mile per 1,000 feet of altitude.
A supersonic aircraft travelling at an altitude of 30,000ft would cause a lateral boom of about 30 miles.
The jets were authorised to fly supersonic, which is why the boom was heard for several miles
Cambridgeshire Police also been receiving calls from members of the public who were startled after the loud sonic boom rattled windows and doors.
A spokesman for the force said: ‘We have received numerous calls from the public with reports of a ‘sonic boom’ between Huntingdon and Cambridge.
‘It is believed this was the result of aeroplanes flying overhead.
‘Nobody has been injured. Some callers reported the incident had ‘shaken’ properties, but no major damage is thought to have occurred.’