Ground Testing Preparation On NASA X-59 QueSSt Yesterday JF informed you about NASA pulling the plug on their X-57 program but today there is news on advancement on another project they are working on in concert with Lockheed Martin, the X-59. The last update can be seen at the following link https://www.jetforums.net/threads/news-latest-on-nasa-x-59-quesst.4650/ . Since then the first test aircraft has been moved outside near the flight line in preparation for ground testing which is to precede the anticipated first flight later this year. Below we get to see the fully-fitted aircraft in these images by Lockheed Martin.
The 100-foot, Mach 1.4 airplane is being develop to gather data on sonic booms in an effort to make the boom as quiet a possible, a barely audible 'thud'. If this is achieved, then it could pave the way for supersonic flights over land in the near future. The X-59 experimental plane is equipped with features and facets that are designed to lessen the impact of a sonic boom when the aircraft transitioned to supersonic speed. A slew of test flights are slated for multiple cities in the future and the data garnered will be made available to regulatory bodies. For more information: Lockheed Martin Corporation 6801 Rockledge Dr Bethesda, MD www.lockheedmartin.com ***
