USAF apologises for 'inadvertent' sonic boom

The US Air Force (USAF) has apologised for a sonic boom that was heard as a loud explosion over Norfolk and Suffolk.

People in and between Norwich and Ipswich had taken to social media and contacted the BBC about the noise, heard at about 16:30 GMT on Monday.

A 48th Fighter Wing aircraft, based out of RAF Lakenheath, Suffolk, was in the area at the time, the USAF confirmed.

"A corrective manoeuvre during a routine training mission was made by a USAF F-35A pilot, resulting in the pilot briefly reaching supersonic speed inadvertently," a spokesperson added.

"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."

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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