NASA's X-59 "frankenjet" tests supersonic flight without the sonic boom

The Lockheed Martin X-59 Quesst, which stands for Quiet SuperSonic Technology, achieved its inaugural flight late last year and has recently commenced supersonic testing phases. Unlike many experimental X-plane aircraft that remain confined to restricted airspace, the X-59 is designed to be robust enough for extensive flight operations beyond test zones.

NASA plans to conduct a nationwide tour of the X-59, flying it over various cities and towns across the United States. This tour aims to collect public feedback on the unique, quieter sonic disturbances—described as gentle 'thumps' rather than disruptive booms—that the aircraft produces when reaching supersonic speeds.

Jim "Clue" Less, a NASA test pilot and aerospace engineer, explained in an interview with Ars Technica that typical X-planes are often minimalistic prototypes assembled from existing aircraft parts focusing on demonstrating a single specific technology or capability. However, the X-59 breaks this tradition by combining its quiet supersonic technology with the durability needed for wide-ranging operational flights to gather comprehensive data from diverse populations.