NASA's X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft has commenced engine-run tests at Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works facility in Palmdale, California, marking a significant milestone in the agency's Quesst mission. These tests, which began on October 30, allow the team to verify the aircraft's systems while powered by its own engine, a critical step toward its inaugural flight.
The X-59 features a unique design, including a long, needle-like nose that extends 38 feet of its total length of 99.7 feet, and is equipped with an External Vision System to assist the pilot given the lack of a traditional windshield. The aircraft is designed to achieve speeds of up to 925 mph (Mach 1.4) at altitudes of 55,000 feet, producing a softer thud instead of the disruptive sonic boom typically associated with supersonic flight.
The engine, a modified F414-GE-100, delivers 22,000 pounds of thrust and is strategically positioned atop the aircraft to minimize noise. The current tests are part of a series of integrated ground evaluations necessary to ensure the aircraft's systems function correctly before flight. Following the engine tests, the team will conduct aluminum bird testing, taxi tests, and finalize preparations for the first flight, now anticipated in early 2025.
The Quesst mission aims to gather data on public perception of the quieter sonic disturbances, which could inform future regulations regarding commercial supersonic flight over land. This initiative represents a collaborative effort to overcome one of the major barriers to supersonic travel, paving the way for advancements in aviation technology.