Lockheed Martin X-59 completes first flight with NASA

The experimental aircraft flew safely from Palmdale to Edwards in California as part of a NASA programme to reduce the impact of sonic booms and enable future overland supersonic travel.

Collier software optimises X-59 nose cone for Swift

Swift Engineering used Collier Aerospace’s HyperX software to achieve over 25% weight reduction on the X-59’s nose cone, meeting critical design requirements.

X-59's engine fires up for last major ground test

Following these successful engine runs, the X-59 will be evaluated for electromagnetic interference effects, simulated in-flight failure modes and validation of the emergency power system.

Karman provides subsystems for NASA's supersonic X-59

The X-59 is scheduled to take flight this year. Once fully operational and tested, NASA plans to fly the aircraft over select U.S. cities in 2026 and gather feedback from the public on the sound it produces.

NASA reveals the X-59 noise-reduction X-Plane

Years of research, development and production of this one-of-a-kind technology demonstrator aircraft should reduce the loudness of sonic booms to a gentle thump.