NASA's X-59 Quiet Supersonic Jet Nears First Flight After Successful Engine Tests

NASA is advancing its X-59 supersonic jet project, designed to revive commercial supersonic flight while mitigating the disruptive sonic boom that has historically plagued such aircraft. Engine tests conducted in collaboration with Lockheed Martin confirmed that the X-59, powered by a modified F414-GE-100 engine, produces a 'sonic thump' rather than a loud boom, potentially allowing for supersonic travel over land. The aircraft's innovative design includes a slender fuselage and a top-mounted engine, which helps minimize noise disturbances on the ground. With a planned cruising speed of Mach 1.4 at altitudes around 55,000 feet, the X-59 aims to achieve a noise level of about 75 decibels, significantly quieter than the Concorde's 100 decibels. Further tests are scheduled to assess the effects of the sonic thump on people below, with demonstrations expected to begin in 2027. If successful, the X-59 could usher in a new era of faster and quieter air travel.