‘Sonic boom’ is heard across central England as ‘ground shakes’ and houses are rocked


‘Sonic boom’ is heard across central England as ‘ground shakes’ and houses are rocked

  • Hundreds of people from Leicester to Oxford heard explosion at around 12.15
  • Social media users said the ground was shaking and houses were rocked  

Hundreds of people have heard a loud explosion believed to be a sonic boom across central England.

The ground was reportedly shaking and houses were rocked as far south as Oxford as well as 70 miles north in Leicester at around 12.10pm today.

There were reports that it may have been two Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets scrambling from RAF Coningsby, in Lincolnshire, to help a Dash 8 aircraft that had radio failure near St Albans and was heading to London.

Aviation Highlights tweeted: ‘The fighters were reportedly supersonic on their way south from RAF Coningsby.’

‘Aircraft currently being escorted to London Stansted Airport. 

The ground was reportedly shaking and houses were rocked as far south as Oxford as well as 70 miles north in Leicester at around 12.10pm today

There were reports that it may have been RAF Typhoon fighter jets scrambling to help a Dash 8 aircraft that had radio failure and was heading to London

There were reports that it may have been RAF Typhoon fighter jets scrambling to help a Dash 8 aircraft that had radio failure and was heading to London

An RAF Voyager tanker aircraft was also reportedly scrambled, which allows Typhoons to refuel in mid-air

An RAF Voyager tanker aircraft was also reportedly scrambled, which allows Typhoons to refuel in mid-air

People living in Leicester (pictured) said they heard  aloud bang at around 12.15pm today

People living in Leicester (pictured) said they heard  aloud bang at around 12.15pm today

RAF Eurofighter Typhoon stats

Crew: 1 or 2

Length: 52 ft, Wingspan: 35 ft

Empty weight: 24,251 lb

Gross weight: 35,274 lb

Max takeoff weight: 51,809 lb

Powerplant: 2 x Eurojet EJ200 afterburning turbofan engines

Max speed: 1,320 mph 

Range: 1,800 miles

Combat range: 863 miles

Service ceiling: 65,000 ft

Guns: 1 x 27 mm Mauser BK-27 revolver cannon with 150 rounds

Hardpoints: Total of 13, 8 x under-wing; and 5 x under-fuselage pylon stations; holding in excess of 19,800 lb of payload.

‘An RAF Voyager tanker aircraft has also been scrambled.

‘This is to allow the Typhoons to refuel whilst staying airborne.

‘Flying supersonic isn’t the most fuel-efficient way to fly a fighter jet.’

A sonic boom is a shockwave is produced by an aircraft flying faster than the speed of sound. 

It usually sounds like a thunder clap. 

Built by BAE Systems, the Eurofighter Typhoon is designed for both air-to-air and air-to-ground combat. 

It is capable of reaching speeds of up to 1,320 mph, fast enough to break the sound barrier and cause sonic booms that can shake windows from miles away.

Social media users were quick to report the loud noise.

One wrote: ‘What was that? Sonic Boom? Earthquake? The birds freaked out!’

Another added: ‘Seems like a lot of people heard that loud bang across Leicestershire and beyond.’ 

John Nolan, from Oxfordshire, said: ‘Heard it loud in Deddington. We thought sonic boom too.’ 

Leicestershire Police said: ‘We have received numerous calls in relation to a large explosion sound heard from various parts of the city and county. 

‘We like to reassure you that there is no concern however thank you for your immediate response to us.’ 

Neighbouring Northamptonshire police said: ‘Police and fire services in Northamptonshire have received numerous calls in relation to a large explosion sound heard from various parts of the county.

‘We would like to reassure people there is no concern, but thank you for contacting us.’

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There were reports that a loud 'sonic boom' heard across England may have been RAF Typhoon fighter jets scrambling to help a Dash 8 aircraft that had radio failure and was heading to London

There were reports that a loud ‘sonic boom’ heard across England may have been RAF Typhoon fighter jets scrambling to help a Dash 8 aircraft that had radio failure and was heading to London

Leicestershire Police said: 'We have received numerous calls in relation to a large explosion sound heard from various parts of the city and county'

Leicestershire Police said: ‘We have received numerous calls in relation to a large explosion sound heard from various parts of the city and county’

MailOnline has contacted the Ministry of Defence for comment.

It’s not the first time a Typhoon from RAF Coningsby has reportedly caused a sonic boom.

Last year one of the jets was responsible for a sonic boom that ripped across the North West of England.

The jet created the huge bang as it jumped to supersonic off the coast of Southport, Merseyside, at around 11am on February 15, 2022.

BAE Systems said the aircraft, which took off from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire, was part of flight testing alongside the RAF and apologised for any alarm caused.

The firm said the Typhoon – registered as Apollo 11 – had been operating in an offshore range area but the sound may have travelled due to ‘climatic conditions’.

This is a breaking news story. More to follow.  

What is a sonic boom? 

A sonic boom is a shockwave that is produced by an aircraft or other object flying at a speed equal to or exceeding the speed of sound and that is heard as a sound like a clap of thunder.

When an aircraft travels at subsonic speed, the pressure disturbances, or sounds, that it generates extend in all directions.

Because this disturbance is transmitted earthward continuously to every point along the path, there are no sharp disturbances or changes of pressure. 

At supersonic speeds, however, the pressure field is confined to a region extending mostly to the rear and extending from the craft in a restricted widening cone (called a Mach cone). 

As the aircraft proceeds, the trailing parabolic edge of that cone of disturbance intercepts the Earth, producing on Earth a sound of a sharp bang or boom. 

When such an aircraft flies at a low altitude, the shock wave may be of sufficient intensity to cause glass breakage and other damage.

Source: Encyclopedia Britannica 




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