Defense Daily reported that on January 12, NASA and Skunk Works “rolled out the X-59 ‘quiet’ supersonic demonstrator aircraft in Palmdale, Calif.” FlightGlobal reports that during the “roll-out ceremony at Lockheed’s Skunk Works facility in Palmdale, California, the sleek, single-engine jet was hailed by its developers as a potentially ‘revolutionary’ step forward that could unlock commercial supersonic flights over populated areas.” Pam Melroy, NASA’s deputy administrator, said, “As we unveil this technological marvel, it’s really important to understand the profound impact the X-59 holds for the aviation industry. … Today, supersonic flight brings a thunderous boom. It is restricted across populated areas for good reason. And the X-59 is going to break that barrier.”
Full Story (Defense Daily); More Info (FlightGlobal)
Tag: X-59 u0027u0027Quietu0027u0027
X-59 Promises to Open a New Era of Supersonic Travel
The Times (UK) reports the X-59, built by Skunk Works, “promises to open a new era of supersonic travel.” The X-59 “has been designed to fly faster than the speed of sound without generating the thunderous, window-rattling sonic boom that has, until now, accompanied all supersonic flight. Instead, it should produce what NASA describe as a ‘gentle sonic thump’ – about as loud as a car door being slammed several metres away. The aim is to persuade regulators, including in Britain, to amend rules that have banned faster-than-sound commercial flights over land since the 1970s because of the noise nuisance.” Later this year, according to The Times, the “X-59 will pass over densely populated areas of the US. Residents will be asked what they think about the thump and the findings will guide future legislation.”
Full Story (The Times {UK})
NASA Initiates Engines Tests on Experimental X-59
Flying Magazine reports, “NASA has fired up the engine of its experimental X-59 supersonic aircraft for the first time, marking the launch of testing to ensure the powerplant and systems work together.” The “X-59 Quiet SuperSonic Technology (QueSST) aircraft is part of NASA’s Low Boom Flight Demonstration project aimed at collecting data to help shape regulations for possible future commercial supersonic flight. … The modified F414-GE-100 engine is expected to enable the aircraft to fly Mach 1.4, or around 925 mph, according to NASA.”
Full Story (Flying Magazine