The evolution of airplanes is soon meeting the most quiet yet to ever fly the skies, and this is with NASA's X-59 Quesst which it recently rolled out for the world to see. The plane was almost six years in the making, with NASA tapping into Lockheed Martin to co-develop and create the plane meant to be the quietest plane that can achieve supersonic speeds without loudness.
Its likeness shows an impressive look at this development, with NASA looking to conduct its flight test soon for all to witness.
NASA's X-59 Quesst Rolled Out from Lockheed's Facility
(Photo : Lockheed Martin Skunk Works)
NASA and Lockheed Martin have rolled out the X-59 Quesst airplane, and it finally shows the first look at its years-long development in creating a quiet supersonic ride in the skies. Quesst stands for Queit SuperSonic Tech, and for six years, both NASA and Lockheed worked on creating one that will not produce any noise pollution or loud sonic booms that are disruptive.
The latest live stream from NASA details the progression of the project since it was conceived, and now, it offers an actual model that will soon go to greater heights.
"By demonstrating the possibility of quiet commercial supersonic travel over land, we seek to open new commercial markets for U.S. companies and benefit travelers around the world," said Bob Pearce, associate administrator for aeronautics research at NASA Headquarters.
Test Flight Coming Soon for Quietest Supersonic Plane
According to NASA, the next steps will be a test flight for the supersonic plane, and this includes integrated systems testing, engine runs, and taxi testing. The X-59 can reach up to 1.4 times the speed of sound or 925 MPH, said NASA and Lockheed.
Supersonic Planes and NASA's Development
Back in 2017, NASA and Lockheed Martin first revealed their plans to create the quiet supersonic technology on the X-Plane platform, and its goal is to achieve a massive feat, despite having minimal sounds. Initially, the team started by testing a 9 percent scale model of the aircraft, and it was fit inside an 8-by-6 foot wind tunnel and used mach-level wind speeds for it.
After a year, NASA and Lockheed went ahead to develop the actual aircraft that would bring a significant change to how aircraft technology is made, especially for those capable of supersonic speeds. It is widely known that a sonic boom is heard from far places, but in this development, it would only have the sound of a "door closing," revolutionizing the use of these aircraft.
The goal of NASA and Lockheed is to make this aircraft the quietest there ever is while going at supersonic speeds, and this has been one of the biggest challenges in making it possible. Now, the teams have rolled out the latest test prototype that embodies the years of research and work both did, soon to be running test flights that may finally debut the quiet supersonic X-59 Quesst.
