In a groundbreaking development for the future of air travel, Nasa and Lockheed Martin have revealed the X-59 quiet supersonic aircraft. The debut, held at Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works facility in Palmdale, California, showcased a technological marvel designed to break the sound barrier with a minimal disturbance on the ground.
The X-59 is the key component of Nasa’s Quesst mission, focused on gathering data that could potentially lead to the revision of existing bans on commercial supersonic flights over land. For decades, such flights have been prohibited due to the disruptive sonic booms they produce. However, the X-59 is set to fly at speeds of 1.4 times the speed of sound, or 925 mph, while generating a sound comparable to a car door closing, thanks to its innovative design.
Nasa Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy expressed her enthusiasm for the project, emphasizing its potential to revolutionize travel. “Nasa’s X-59 will help change the way we travel, bringing us closer together in much less time,” she stated. The agency plans to share the acquired data with regulators and industry partners, aiming to open new markets for U.S. companies and benefit global travelers.
With the completion of the aircraft’s rollout, the next phase involves integrated systems testing, engine runs, and taxi testing. The inaugural flight is scheduled for later this year, followed by subsequent quiet supersonic flights. Initial tests will be conducted at Skunk Works before the X-59 moves to Nasa’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California.
John Clark, vice president and general manager at Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, emphasized the collaborative effort driving the project. “We’re honored to be a part of this journey to shape the future of supersonic travel over land alongside Nasa and our suppliers,” he stated.
Post-flight tests will see the X-59 flying over selected U.S. cities to gather public perception data on its quieter sonic signature. This valuable information will assist the Federal Aviation Administration and international regulators in potential revisions to rules around supersonic flight.
The X-59, measuring 99.7 feet in length and 29.5 feet in width, boasts a slender, tapered nose that disrupts shock waves, mitigating the traditional sonic boom. The cockpit, positioned amidships, features an eXternal Vision System instead of a forward-facing window, providing pilots with a clear view ahead through high-resolution imagery relayed to a 4K monitor.
