Lockheed Martin moves the X-59 to ground testing

Lockheed Martin has moved its X-59 supersonic demonstration test aircraft to the run stall area for further ground testing including vibration tests.

The company says the project aims to quieten the sonic boom and shape the future of supersonic commercial flight travel.

As is known, the X-59, which was carried out by Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works Division in collaboration with NASA, is a project to create a supersonic commercial jet platform that is more environmentally friendly, including the sonic boom factor.

Previously in April, NASA had announced the final installation of the tail assembly on this X-59 Quiet SuperSonic Technology (QueSST) research aircraft.

Work is taking place at Lockheed Martin Skunk Works in Palmdale, California, where the aircraft returned a year ago after a series of tests in Fort Worth, Texas.

The X-59 is expected to fly for the first time in late 2023.

"This installation allows the team to continue final cabling and system checks on the aircraft as it prepares for integrated ground testing, which will include engine operation and taxi testing," NASA said at the time.

"Upon completion, the X-59 aircraft is designed to demonstrate supersonic flight capability while reducing the loud sonic boom to a low sonic boom," NASA continued.

NASA hopes to use the X-59 to collect data that will help regulators make new rules regarding commercial supersonic flights on the ground.

The QueSST program is also seeking ways to document human responses to the X-59's quiet sonic boom with a series of flights over US cities scheduled to begin in 2025.

The aircraft will reportedly be able to travel at a top speed of Mach 1.4 and reach altitudes of up to 55,000 feet.

The Lockheed Martin X-59 QueSST is an American experimental supersonic aircraft for NASA's Low-Boom Flight Demonstration project . Initial design of this aircraft began in February 2016.

[PeterNebelung]

All I can say is WOW! thats one wicked looking bird, like something out of a Japanese anime. She''s beautiful, and may she fly long and far.

[lancehymers]

It’s going to be interesting to see if the technology matches the theoretical physics. That’s one incredible-looking aircraft! It looks like something out of the more insane late-50s experimental designs, or maybe “Captain Scarlet” or “Fireball XL9” (“Thunderbirds”, maybe?). Can’t wait to see it fly.

[ioanbota]

Realy I like this powerful fastest jet I wil like to have it infinit numbers

[ghanova]

Old tech, research has already been done. Nothing new here. Also a single engine fuselage mounted engine and delta wing does not scale to multiple engine delta wing mounted configuration which is the only way you get a cargo carrying aircraft. Aerodynamics kill it. Concord sorted this decades ago, as did the Valkyrie. Its all budget make noise. Nothing new.