X-59 rollout paves the way for ‘smooth’ supersonic flight testing

It’s a couple of years later than planned, but Lockheed Martin and NASA have finally rolled out the X-59 quiet supersonic experimental airplane on Friday. The aircraft with its unusually long nose should demonstrate if supersonic flight is possible without the notorious shockwaves that come from crossing the barrier of sound. 

During a rare roll-out event with so many visitors at Lockheed Martin’s famous Skunk Works in Palmdale (California), Vice President and General Manager of the premises, John Clarke, stressed the importance of the X-59. “The X-59 has the potential to shape supersonic travel over land, cutting flight times in half of what they are today. But the X-59 is not just about cutting-edge advancements. It represents the best of our collective team and our unwavering commitment to make a positive difference in the world.”

As Lockheed Martin EVP Greg Ulmer said, his company and NASA

have been working on technology for decades to reduce the sonic boom. The boom that rambles windows and could cause other damage prevented Concorde from operating overland, thereby limiting its commercial success. Aeroflot used to operate the Tu-144 on remote stretches of land without dense populations. US legislation forbids supersonic overland flight since 1973, three years before Concorde entered commercial service.