Concorde—history’s only viable supersonic airliner—was retired in 2003. Since then, no manufacturer has managed to replicate its success.
But that could soon change.
X-59 Debut Could Launch New Era for Commercial Aviation
NASA and Lockheed Martin’s quiet, supersonic research aircraft makes its inaugural flight.
Key Takeaways:
- NASA and Lockheed Martin's X-59, a supersonic research aircraft designed to eliminate disruptive sonic booms, recently completed its debut flight.
- The X-59 features a unique design, including an elongated nose and a windowless cockpit, to produce quieter "sonic thumps" that are less disruptive than traditional sonic booms.
- The aircraft will conduct community flights to gather data, aiming to provide evidence to the FAA to reverse its 1973 ban on commercial supersonic flight over land and pave the way for a new era of quiet supersonic air travel.
Key takeaways sponsored by Aviator Pro | Start Your Training ->
See a mistake? Contact us.
