The US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Lockheed Martin expect to lift the X-59 experimental supersonic aircraft into the skies by the end of the year.

“X-59 It is a supersonic vehicle. However, this is an experimental jet aircraft with a radical design with a needle-shaped nose. Speaking at a hearing in the US Senate, NASA Director Bill Nelson said: “It will fly by the end of the year to test whether it is possible to make supersonic flights without the hum of a sonic boom and fly accordingly over populated areas.” Appropriations Committee.

Speaking of the noise the X-59 is expected to make in flight, Bill Nelson said, “It’s going to be a dull roar.”

“Silent” supersonic aircraft X-59Due to its design created within the framework of the Quesst program, it should not emit a characteristic cotton while moving at a speed above the speed of sound. Developers and NASA believe that after tests it will be possible to lift the ban on ground flights of commercial supersonic aircraft introduced in the United States and other countries 50 years ago.

The creators of the X-59 emphasize that this is an experimental supersonic aircraft, not just a prototype. Their tests will allow data to be collected for the development of next-generation supersonic cruise ships. An aircraft approximately 30 meters long and with a wingspan of almost 9 meters can reach a speed of 1488 km/h, which is faster than the speed of sound (1234.8 km/h). Once such flights begin, data will begin to be collected on the sound they make during movement and how the population reacts to it.