The US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Lockheed Martin presented the X-59 experimental supersonic aircraft.
The “silent” supersonic aircraft X-59, which is being created as part of the Questst program, due to its design, does not emit a characteristic pop when moving at speeds above the speed of sound. The developers and NASA believe that after the tests, it will be possible to lift the ban on flights over land by commercial supersonic aircraft, introduced 50 years ago in the United States and other countries.
The creators of the X-59 emphasize that this is an experimental supersonic aircraft, and not just a prototype. Its tests will collect data for the development of future generations of supersonic passenger airliners.. The aircraft, about 30 m long with a wingspan of almost 9 m, can reach a speed of 1488 km/h, which is higher than the speed of sound (1234.8 km/h).
Photo: Lockheed Martin/X
“In just a few years, we managed to turn an ambitious idea into reality. NASA's X-59 will help change the way we travel and bridge the distances between us faster,” said Deputy Space Administrator Pamela Melroy.
Soon they will begin testing systems, starting engines, and also starting test taxiing. The first test flight of the X-59 at speeds below the speed of sound will take place in late spring or early summer of this year.
The first supersonic test flight of the X-59 has not yet been dated, but only after the start of such flights will they begin to collect data on what sound it makes when moving and how the population reacts to it.