X-59 Prepares for Supersonic Flight Tests

NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft flies over Rogers Dry Lake near NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. NASA continues expanding the aircraft’s flight envelope through a series of lower-altitude and slower-speed flights ahead of flight tests at speeds faster than the speed of sound.

NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft flies over Rogers Dry Lake near NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. NASA continues expanding the aircraft’s flight envelope through a series of lower-altitude and slower-speed flights ahead of flight tests at speeds faster than the speed of sound.

Photographer NASA/Jim Ross
Location AFRC
NASAX-59AviationLow Boom Flight DemonstratorLBFDQuesstQuestTest PilotSupersonicMachSonic BoomQuiet Supersonic TechnologyX-planeAeronauticsLockheed MartinSkunk WorksSpeedAFRCArmstrong Flight Research CenterLangley Research CenterAmes Research CenterGlenn Research CenterSonic ThumpCommercial Supersonic TechnologyAirplanesCaliforniaEdwards Air Force BaseEAFBFlight Test