Lockheed Martin’s Experimental Quiet Supersonic Aircraft Enters Production

The X-59 Quiet Supersonic Technology aircraft is designed to travel at a speed of approximately 940 miles per hour at 55,000 feet and reduce sonic boom noise

Lockheed Martin’s Experimental Quiet Supersonic Aircraft Enters Production

Illustration: NASA, via Wikipedia

Lockheed Martin announced on Friday that its experimental low boom supersonic plane, the X-59, has officially entered production.

Earlier this year, according to CNBC, NASA awarded Lockheed a $250 million contract to develop an aircraft capable of reaching supersonic speed without creating the loud sonic boom that comes with breaking the sound barrier.

The X-59 Quiet Supersonic Technology aircraft is designed to cruise at 55,000 feet and reach speeds of about 940 miles per hour.

The new experimental plane is designed to return supersonic passenger air travel to routes over land, after the last such flight was by the Concorde in October 2003.

"The start of manufacturing on the project marks a great leap forward for the X-59 and the future of quiet supersonic commercial travel," said Peter Iosifidis, Low Boom Flight Demonstrator program manager for Lockheed Martin Skunk Works.

"The long, slender design of the aircraft is the key to achieving a low sonic boom. As we enter into the manufacturing phase, the aircraft structure begins to take shape, bringing us one step closer to enabling supersonic travel for passengers around the world," he added.

The X-59 will conduct its first flight in 2021. It will be used to collect community response data on the acceptability of the quiet sonic boom generated by the aircraft, helping NASA establish an acceptable commercial supersonic noise standard to overturn current regulations banning supersonic travel over land.