Elements of the fuselage of the Low-Boom Flight Demonstrator experimental aircraft (NASA X-59) have reportedly returned from a Lockheed Martin test site in Fort Worth, Texas, to the company’s assembly site in Palmdale, California. Since December last year, elements of the aircraft have been tested for durability so that there are no surprises in future flights. The X-59 is expected to take off at the end of this year.

Full and final assembly of the X-59 will take place at Lockheed Martin in Palmdale. Experienced engines in the amount of two parts (one spare) were delivered in summer 2020 and tested on the ground. These are significantly redesigned engines based on the F414-GE-39E engine used in the single-engine Swedish fourth-generation Saab JAS 39E Gripen multirole fighter. Like the design of the aircraft, the engines changed the maximum possible reduction in operating noise.

The X-59 should prove the concept of a low-noise supersonic aircraft. Its movement should not emit “nearby thunder rumbles”, especially when crossing the sound barrier. The loudest noise from a flying X-59 should be no louder than the slamming of a closed car door six feet away from you. As a demonstrator, the X-59 will provide complete data on operating noise to further support supersonic transport. Modern supersonic aircraft do not meet regulators by this criterion. At least for civil air transport.