NASA's futuristic new aircraft sparks quiet supersonic revolution with pioneering flight

Lockheed Martin has announced the successful completion of the X-59 Quiet Supersonic Technology aircraft's first flight, a key step in NASA's efforts to enable commercial supersonic travel over land. The subsonic ferry flight took place on October 28, departing from Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works facility in Palmdale, California, and covering 185 miles to NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base. Lasting approximately 75 minutes and reaching 12,000 feet at 300 knots, the test verified the aircraft's initial flying qualities and air data systems without incident.

The X-59, developed under a $500 million (£385 million) NASA contract as part of the Low-Boom Flight Demonstrator programme, features a distinctive elongated fuselage and wing design aimed at reducing sonic booms to a level of 75 decibels—comparable to a car door closing. This contrasts with traditional supersonic aircraft, which produce disruptive shockwaves. Jack O'Ban, vice president and general manager of Skunk Works, described the flight as a "major milestone". He added: "The X-59 performed exactly as planned, and the team has done an outstanding job to reach this point. We anticipate further flights to advance quiet supersonic technology."

The subsonic ferry flight took place on October 28, departing from Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works facility in Palmdale, California, and covering 185 miles to NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base. Lasting approximately 75 minutes and reaching 12,000 feet at 300 knots, the test verified the aircraft's initial flying qualities and air data systems without incident.

Dubbed the new Concorde, the X-59, developed under a $500 million (£385 million) NASA contract as part of the Low-Boom Flight Demonstrator programme, features a distinctive elongated fuselage and wing design aimed at reducing sonic booms to a level of 75 decibels—comparable to a car door closing. This contrasts with traditional supersonic aircraft, which produce disruptive shockwaves.

Jack O'Ban, vice president and general manager of Skunk Works, described the flight as a "major milestone". He added: "The X-59 performed exactly as planned, and the team has done an outstanding job to reach this point. We anticipate further flights to advance quiet supersonic technology."

The project builds on decades of supersonic aviation history. The first supersonic flight occurred in 1947, when US pilot Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier in the Bell X-1 rocket plane over the Mojave Desert, reaching Mach 1.06. This paved the way for military applications, including high-speed reconnaissance aircraft.

Commercial supersonic travel arrived with Concorde, the Anglo-French airliner that entered service in 1976. Capable of Mach 2 speeds, it halved transatlantic flight times, connecting London Heathrow and New York in under three-and-a-half hours. However, its sonic booms—equivalent to 105-110 decibels—prompted restrictions. In 1973, the US Federal Aviation Administration banned overland supersonic flights, confining Concorde to oceanic routes.

A fatal crash in July 2000, which killed 113 people due to tyre debris puncturing a fuel tank, accelerated the aircraft's retirement in 2003. High operating costs, averaging $12,000 (£9,200) per hour, and environmental concerns over fuel consumption further eroded viability. Only 14 Concordes were built, with British Airways and Air France operating 12 in passenger service.

The X-59 addresses these issues through the Quesst (Quiet Supersonic Technology) mission. Unveiled in January 2024, the single-seat jet incorporates advanced aerodynamics, including a forward cockpit with external camera views, and is powered by a General Electric F414 engine. Ground tests, including taxi runs, preceded the flight.

Over the next three years, the aircraft will conduct up to 1,600 flights, progressing to Mach 1.4 at 55,000 feet. Sensors will measure ground-level noise, with data shared publicly to inform regulators.

NASA Associate Administrator for Aeronautics Robert Pearce stated: "This first flight is a significant achievement. It advances our goal of quiet supersonic flight, potentially allowing faster air travel with reduced community impact."

Success could lift the 1973 ban, opening a market projected to exceed $10 billion (£7.7 billion) by 2035. Companies like Boom Supersonic are developing successors, such as the Overture jet, targeting service by 2029. However, challenges remain, including regulatory approval and environmental scrutiny over emissions.

Lockheed Martin, with annual revenues of $67 billion (£51.6 billion), leverages digital simulation for certification—a first for X-planes. The firm has a legacy in experimental aviation, including the U-2 and SR-71.

As testing intensifies at Edwards, the X-59 represents a potential revival for supersonic passenger flight, balancing speed with sustainability.