Lockheed Martin Has Started Building NASA's X-59 Experimental Supersonic Jet

Popular Mechanics ^ | 11-20-2018 | Sam Blum

[servo1969]

Faster-than-sound flight has been possible for decades. But supersonic planes like the Concorde were more or less limited to flying over oceans because of the loud sonic booms they make. Current laws prohibit supersonic planes from breaking the sound barrier over land.

The X-59, by contrast, emits a faint "thud" when reaching its apex speed of 940 mph, which the company says is no louder than the slamming of a car door. The aircraft has a cruising altitude of 55,000 feet--about 25,000 feet higher than your standard commercial airbus.

"This aircraft has the potential to transform aviation in the United States and around the world by making faster-than-sound air travel over land possible for everyone," NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine said in a press statement about the Lockheed deal. "We can't wait to see this bird fly!"

[servo1969]

[1Old Pro]

"This aircraft has the potential to transform aviation in the United States and around the world by making faster-than-sound air travel over land possible for everyone,

How many passengers?

[IYAS9YAS]

The X-59, by contrast, emits a faint "thud" when reaching its apex speed of 940 mph

I'm not sure I'd want "thud" associated with my supersonic aircraft.

[NorthMountain]

To forestall questions and stupid, snarky comments:

The aircraft in question is EXPERIMENTAL. Its purpose is to TEST and demonstrate NEW TECHNOLOGY. Its purpose is not to carry passengers. That comes next, if or when the technology is demonstrated to be feasible.

[NorthMountain]

If you’ve ever heard a traditional sonic boom (sounds a bit like an explosion), you’ll likely agree that “thud” is a huge improvement.

[Army Air Corps]

The wing looks like a cranked arrow design.

[Red Badger]

Looks like a deformed duck.......................

[noiseman]

I’ve experienced a simulation of this acoustic difference in a demonstration audio booth that NASA has. While still simulated at this time, the difference between a conventional sonic boom and the “thud” projected for the low-boom demonstrator is significant. It really is just a dull thud that I don’t think would particularly bother anyone in more rural areas, where ambient noise levels are low, and would likely be inaudible in urban environments because of masking by higher ambient noise.

Now to see if the theory pans out in practice.

[Red Badger]

We still get them here occasionally, Eglin AFB jets sometimes make mistakes...............

[1Old Pro]

To forestall questions and stupid, snarky comments: The aircraft in question is EXPERIMENTAL. Its purpose is to TEST and demonstrate NEW TECHNOLOGY. Its purpose is not to carry passengers. That comes next, if or when the technology is demonstrated to be feasible. 4 posted on ‎11‎/‎21‎/‎2018‎ ‎3‎:‎06‎:‎29‎ ‎PM by NorthMountain (... the right of the peopIe to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed)

Stop it, it's experimental. The new version will be more like an eagle.

[Red Badger]

I bet it won’t be. That elongated duckbill front end is probably the reason the sonic boom is so much less noticeable................

[GraceG]

Oh how cute....

Here is a craft that can go faster than sound but doesn't make a sonic boom...

Probably built by Lockheed too...

[onedoug]

There goes the view if you’re over the wing.

[PTBAA]

Platypus roadkill....

[A strike]

” How many passengers? “

Well if the concept photo aircraft is any indication, one normal size or possibly two small size.
Figure at least $ 40,000. or more per seat.

[cpdiii]

High Fuel Burn is what killed the Concord. If this new aircraft does not have an economic fuel burn, it will fail.

[Steely Tom]

That’s Edwards AFB in the background.

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

There goes the view if you’re over the wing.

. . . but what difference does that make if you reach your destination before you depart?

Speaking of which, there is the Pharma option - anesthetize the passengers with the stuff that makes you unaware of the passage of time - you get in the plane, take your medicine - and when they revive you at your destination you ask, “When are we going to leave?”

Not a serious suggestion, unfortunately - all anesthetics are toxins.

[Ed Condon]

“How many passengers?”
Boom technology is in the process of designing a supersonic plane that will carry 55 passengers, due around 2023.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

Is the pilot’s forward and side vision a bit, er, constrained?

Are those three pitot tubes also subject to failure?