News archive: Lockheed Martin Skunk Works X-59 QueSST | Airframer

30 October

The aircraft’s design aims to reduce the sonic boom to ‘a gentle thump’.

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.

9 January

The X-59, a unique experimental aircraft from Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, is part of the Quesst (Quiet Supersonic Technology) mission of U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to quiet loud sonic booms.

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.

13 November

The X-59 is a one-of-a-kind test aircraft designed to achieve quiet supersonic flight and transform future commercial air travel.

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.

20 March

On the X-59 project, Karman's significant contributions included control surfaces, T-tails and bulkheads.

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.

18 January

Fresh out of Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works.

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.

18 April

ReleaseNASA's X-59 arrives back in California following critical ground tests

11 February

ReleaseNASA's X-59 calls on Texas for key testing

6 January

NASA’s X-59 Quiet SuperSonic Technology aircraft (QueSST) is pictured here at Lockheed Martin Skunk Works in California, wrapped up in preparation for its move to Texas.

Quiet supersonic demonstrator starts ground testing in Texas

While in Texas, ground testing of the X-59 will ensure the aircraft can withstand the loads and stresses that typically occur during flight. The team will also calibrate and test the fuel systems.

25 November

A view of the X-59 being supported by ground supports in preparation for installation of the landing gear and other hardware required for structural testing.

Supersonic X-59 enters final assembly phase

Removed from its jig, the X-59 is ready for final assembly including the first power-on of the aircraft to test its internal systems. The first flight is planned for 2022.

29 September

During the testing the X-59 will fly at supersonic speeds over communities as part of the low boom flight demonstration. NASA will then gather community feedback to the noise of the quiet supersonic flight.

X-59 prepares for quiet supersonic flight testing

The Lockheed Martin X-59's nose design should allow for quiet supersonic flight, turning the usual sonic boom into a quiet sonic thump. The aircraft will be tested over residential areas and noise feedback will be collected.

8 September

ReleaseNASA completes tests of X-59 eXternal Vision System

3 August

ReleaseX-59 resembles actual aircraft

15 June

ReleaseNASA fine tunes air data system on supersonic X-plane

19 May

ReleaseNASA tests system for aircraft positioning in supersonic flight

13 May

The X-59 is fitted with Quiet Supersonic Technologies (QueSST).

NASA's quiet supersonic research aircraft could fly in 2022

Innovative features on top of the X-59 wing should re-shape the shock wave pattern, substantially reducing the sonic boom to more of a sonic "thump" when it reaches the ground. Collins is onboard for the avionics.

22 March

ReleaseCutting edge ground recorders selected to measure future X-59 quiet supersonic flights

17 February

ReleaseNASA and JAXA to work together on testing X-59 model

17 December

ReleaseNASA awards contract for X-59 community overflight operations

14 December

ReleaseNASA's Supersonic X-59 assembly team marks wing milestone

13 November

ReleaseX-59 assembly presses on

29 October

The cockpit of the X-59 at Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works factory in Palmdale.

X-59 assembly progresses despite pandemic challenges

Lockheed Martin is assembling the experimental aircraft for NASA in anticipation of its first flight some time in mid-2022, and is now turning its attention to the cockpit space.

17 September

ReleaseNASA marks continued progress on X-59

9 September

The F414-GE-100 engine, which will power NASA’s X-59 Quiet SuperSonic Technology X-plane (QueSST), is unboxed at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. (Photo: NASA Photo / Ken Ulbrich)

ReleaseX-59 construction reaches halfway point

16 December

ReleaseNASA's X-59 Quiet Supersonic research aircraft cleared for final assembly

26 August

ReleaseTesting of X-59 virtual forward window successful

17 June

ReleaseCollins Aerospace to provide Environmental Control System and multiple flight control surfaces for NASA X-59 Low-Boom Flight Demonstrator

17 January

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