NASA X-59 completes maneuvers in near-supersonic flight tests
Updated
Updated · Gizmodo · May 4
NASA X-59 completes maneuvers in near-supersonic flight tests
10 articles · Updated · Gizmodo · May 4
During an April 14 flight over California's Mojave Desert, pilots performed rollercoaster, bank-to-bank, flutter, pitch-down and landing-gear tests as NASA released new video.
The envelope-expansion campaign is measuring aerodynamic forces, stability, control, vibration and gear-deployment effects as the Lockheed Martin-built aircraft is flown faster and higher after its October 2025 debut.
NASA aims to prove the 99.7-foot X-59 can replace a sonic boom with a quieter sonic thump, supporting future overland supersonic travel and planned community-noise studies in the United States.
NASA's X-59 promises a gentle 'thump,' but will the American public accept this new sound from the skies?
Beyond the quiet boom, can new supersonic jets overcome the economic hurdles that grounded the Concorde?
In April 2026, NASA advanced the X-59 Quiet Supersonic Technology aircraft by completing its first wheels-up flight and performing key maneuvers to gather vital data on performance and safety. This progress supports the next steps of achieving Mach 1.4 by late 2026 and starting community overflights in 2027 to test the aircraft's quiet sonic 'thump.' The data collected will help persuade regulators to reconsider the 1973 ban on overland supersonic flight, supported by new legislation directing the FAA to update rules by 2027. While promising, challenges remain in scaling the technology and addressing economic and environmental concerns before supersonic travel can revolutionize air travel.