Lockheed Martin unveils the X-59, which will begin test flights at Mach 1.4 over selected communities in the USNasa has unveiled its X-59 “quiet” supersonic aircraft — an aeronautical wonder known as Son of Concorde that it hopes will go with a whimper and not a bang. The final version of the experimental jet, which can fly faster than the speed of sound without generating a thunderous sonic boom, was wheeled out of the hangar at Lockheed Martin’s secretive Skunk Works facility in Palmdale, California. “For the team, some of whom have worked on the aircraft since the first component was created, the reveal of the X-59 will be a very special moment … our vision coming to life,” said Cathy Bahm, Nasa’s project manager, before the rollout on Friday. Nasa’s experimental X-59 Quesst aircraft could contribute to a new chapter in air travel ABACA PRESS/ALAMYThe unveiling represented not only the culmination of decades of work “but also the future of flight and the spirit of aeronautics research”, Nasa said.

Source: The Times January 13, 2024 05:06 UTC