Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, in collaboration with NASA, has completed the first flight of the X-59, a prototype aircraft designed to demonstrate quiet supersonic flight.
The aircraft took off from the company’s facility at U.S. Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, and landed near NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards. The flight met its planned objectives, verifying basic flight characteristics and data performance.
OJ Sanchez, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, said the milestone marks a significant step for the program: “We are thrilled to achieve the first flight of the X-59. This aircraft is a testament to the innovation and expertise of our joint team, and we are proud to be at the forefront of quiet supersonic technology development.”
The X-59 aims to demonstrate that supersonic flight can occur with minimal sonic impact—replacing the traditional sonic boom with a quieter “thump.” The data gathered from testing will support NASA’s efforts to establish acceptable noise levels for future supersonic travel over land, currently restricted by regulations.
Sean Duffy, acting NASA Administrator, described the project as a continuation of the country’s long-standing innovation in aviation: “X-59 is a symbol of American ingenuity. The American spirit knows no bounds. It's part of our DNA – the desire to go farther, faster, and even quieter than anyone has ever gone before.”
In the next phase, Skunk Works and NASA will conduct an extended flight test campaign to explore the aircraft’s performance envelope, including its first supersonic missions. These flights will gather acoustic data and measure public response to the reduced sound levels.
The X-59 is part of NASA’s Low-Boom Flight Demonstrator program, intended to inform potential regulatory changes that could reopen the door to commercial supersonic travel over land.