Meet the American X-59 Aircraft - Supersonic and Silent 0 22

Lockheed Martin, in collaboration with NASA, successfully conducted the first flight of the silent supersonic aircraft X-59. The company reported that the experimental aircraft took off from the facility in Palmdale and landed near the Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards (both locations are in California). The X-59 "performed everything exactly as planned," Lockheed Martin stated. The aircraft is intended to "pave the way for faster commercial air travel."

The American corporation Lockheed Martin, together with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), successfully conducted the first flight of the silent supersonic aircraft X-59. This was reported by the company's press service.

As noted in the press release, the experimental supersonic aircraft, developed at Skunk Works (a division of Lockheed Martin), is designed to "pave the way for faster commercial air travel." The X-59 took off from the Skunk Works facility in Palmdale and landed near the Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards (both locations are in California).

The aircraft "performed everything exactly as planned," Lockheed Martin stated. "We are thrilled that the X-59 has made its first flight. This aircraft is a testament to the innovations and expertise of our joint team, and we are proud to be at the forefront of developing silent supersonic technologies," said O. Jay Sanchez, Vice President of Skunk Works.

The X-59 is designed to demonstrate supersonic flight technology that turns the sonic boom into a soft thump, Lockheed Martin noted. The aircraft aims to overcome one of the main barriers to supersonic commercial flights, which are currently restricted over land due to noise issues, the press release emphasizes.

NASA and Lockheed Martin officially unveiled the X-59 in January 2024. At that time, NASA stated that the aircraft is expected to fly at a speed 1.4 times the speed of sound — 925 miles per hour (about 1500 km/h). The X-59 is 99.7 feet long (about 30 m) and 29.5 feet wide (approximately 9 m).

The X-59 is a unique experimental aircraft, not a prototype. Its technologies are intended for the creation of future generations of silent supersonic aircraft, NASA noted.