This overhead view of the X-59 shows the aircraft at Lockheed Martin Skunk Works in Palmdale, California. During the assembly of this experimental aircraft, the team often has to remove components to effectively and safely assemble other sections of the aircraft. In this image, the nose is not attached and the horizontal stabilators are shown behind the tail. The X-59 is the centerpiece of NASA’s Quesst mission which plans to produce data that will help enable commercial supersonic air travel over land.
This image shows the extensive ventilation system that has been placed adjacent to the X-59 during the recent painting of the aircraft’s engine inlet. Once the aircraft build and ground testing are complete, the X-59 airplane will begin flight testing, working towards demonstrating the ability to fly supersonic while reducing the loud sonic boom to a quiet sonic thump and help enable commercial supersonic air travel over land.
This is an up-close view of the X-59’s engine inlet – fresh after being painted. The 13-foot F414-GE-100 engine will be placed inside the inlet bringing the X-59 aircraft one step closer to completion. Once fully assembled, the X-59 aircraft will begin flight operations, working toward demonstration of the ability to fly supersonic while reducing the loud sonic boom to a quiet sonic thump, helping to enable commercial supersonic air travel over land.
A Lockheed Martin technician works to complete wiring on the X-59 aircraft in preparation for the power-on system checkouts. Once complete, the X-59 aircraft will demonstrate the ability to fly supersonic while reducing the loud sonic boom to a quiet sonic thump and help enable commercial supersonic air travel over land. This aircraft is the centerpiece of NASA’s Quesst mission.
This overhead view of the X-59 shows the aircraft at Lockheed Martin Skunk Works in Palmdale, California. During the assembly of this experimental aircraft, the team often has to remove components to effectively and safely assemble other sections of the aircraft. In this image, the nose is not attached and the horizontal stabilators are shown behind the tail. The X-59 is the centerpiece of NASA’s Quesst mission which plans to produce data that will help enable commercial supersonic air travel over land.