An artist’s impression of a possible Low Boom Flight Demonstration Quiet Supersonic Transport (QueSST) design.

Рисунок экспериментального сверхзвукового самолета X-59

An illustration of the X-59 Quiet SuperSonic Technology aircraft.
The fiscal year 2019 budget request for NASA intends to fund fully the Low Boom Flight Demonstration aircraft.

A concept shot of the X-59. Lockheed Martin test pilot, Dan ’Dog’ Canin, will be at the controls during its early days of flight testing.

The X-59 will fly over select urban communities in the US

Concept artwork of the X-59 Quiet SuperSonic Technology (QueSST) demonstrator.

A Schlieren image depicting how the shockwaves will build up on the X-59 when it is travelling at supersonic speeds. This method of photography was invented to study supersonic motion by German physicist August Toepier in 1864. NASA scientists use Schlieren images to see the pressure waves generated by an aircraft pushing air molecules out of the way when travelling faster than sound.

Elegant and simple in design the X-Plane sports a hollow nose that is 35ft long. Filled with air, it weighs just 300 lbs.
Lockheed Martin Skunk Works' X-plane will cruise at 55,000ft and Mach 1.4.

The X-59 ‘should handle like a fast business jet’, Larson said

Рисунок самолета QSTA, за ним - X-59

Lockheed Martin has unveiled its Quiet Supersonic Technology Airliner concept.

Рисунок, на котором изображена посадка самолета X-59
An X-59 concept touch down. Although the aircraft is longer than a business jet, its cockpit is more akin to those used in fighter jets.

An artist's impression of the futuristic-looking X-59 QueSST, which will be used by NASA to research quiet supersonic flight.

Larson: ”It just looks cool. The best part is the excitement it creates” (2019 rendering)

Сборка X-59 на заводе фирмы «Локхид Мартин» в Палмдэйле
The assembly of the X-59 progresses in Palmdale, California.

In June 2020, engineers and technicians at Skunk Work attached the QueSST's wing and cockpit sections together.

The X-59's final assembly area at Lockheed Martin Skunk Works’ facility in Palmdale, California. The empennage and nose are also currently in production and will be delivered here to be fitted.

Throughout the build process, Skunk Works has leveraged a Combined Operation: Bolting and Robotic AutoDrill (COBRA) system. The application drills, countersinks and inspects holes, increasing accuracy and overall manufacturing speed. COBRA's involvement in the X-59's production marks the first time the system has been employed by the company.

Production of the X-59 continued despite the outbreak and global spread of COVID-19 and the company really adapted to the added challenge that the pandemic presented to remain on schedule. Note that the engineer here is wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) while working on the QueSST's fuselage.

Part of a wing spar for Quesst is prepared for installation by Lockheed Martin technicians

The X-59's cockpit section is a unique feature of the aircraft. Shown here during production, space has been made for its side windows but not a forward cockpit window - because there isn’t one. Instead, the platform will employ NASA's innovative XVS suite.

The Lockheed Martin X-59 Quiet SuperSonic Technology demonstrator is heading for final assembly

Кабина X-59. Внизу - два больших МФД. Вместо лобового стекла перед пилотом находится изображение от передней камеры XVS, дополненное элементами виртуальной реальности
A 4K monitor showing a view of the world outside will serve as the central forward view on the X-59 QuESST demonstrator.

Mechanical technician Dan Pitts prepares the 9% scale model of Lockheed Martin’s Quiet Supersonic Technology X-plane preliminary design for its first high-speed wind tunnel tests at NASA’s Glenn Research Center.

Испытания модели X-59 в аэродинамической трубе

Lead pilot David Nils Larson

Under the skin of the X-plane demonstrator shaping up to make a quiet supersonic comeback, thanks to a unique design and engineering partnership.