NASA’s X-59 is breaking the sound barrier without sonic booms, revolutionizing supersonic flight with a futuristic design. The 99-foot aircraft ditches the traditional windscreen for an advanced AR-based External Vision System (XVS) for enhanced visibility. Recent taxi testing at the U.S. Air Force’s Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, sets the stage for the X-59’s maiden flight.
X-59’s Futuristic Design: Redefining Supersonic Travel
Test pilot Nils Larson maneuvers the X-59 at low speeds to validate its steering and braking systems. Lockheed Martin and NASA gear up for high-speed taxi tests, propelling the X-59 towards its takeoff velocity.
Plant 42 Taxi Trials: A Milestone for X-59
Noteworthy aeronautical projects at Plant 42 include the B-2 Spirit, F-22 Raptor, and the RQ-170 Sentinel spy drone. Historical ties with SOFIA’s airborne observatory underscore Plant 42’s legacy of aerospace innovation.
Recent collaborative efforts at Plant 42 explore noise reduction techniques for the X-59, signaling a groundbreaking leap in supersonic technology.
