PAF fighter jet breaks sound barrier, boom heard in Pakistan capital

An F-7P fighter aircraft of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) crossed the sound barrier Monday, causing a big boom, which was heard in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad as well as other areas, according to a PAF statement issued here.
The aircraft was on a scheduled functional control flight mission when it crossed the sound barrier in Pindigheb area, nearly 100 kilometres from Islamabad. At the time, the aircraft was in a process of transition from an altitude of 40,000 feet to 15,000 feet.
The fighter aircraft flew the planned maintenance check mission after overhaul at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, Kamra. The sonic boom waves travelled far and wide due to high altitude and clear weather conditions.
According to experts, military aircraft routinely accelerate to speeds greater than the sound speed, which is known as breaking the sound barrier.