NASA, Lockheed Martin Progress Toward Supersonic Trials
Assembly of the X-59 Quiet SuperSonic Technology demonstrator is underway at Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works factory in Palmdale, California.
Assembly of the wing and forward section of the NASA/Lockheed Martin X-59 Quiet SuperSonic Technology (QueSST) demonstrator is underway as NASA strives to demonstrate the feasibility of quiet supersonic travel over land. (Photo: NASA)
Assembly of the wing and forward section of the NASA/Lockheed Martin X-59 Quiet SuperSonic Technology (QueSST) demonstrator is underway as NASA strives to demonstrate the feasibility of quiet supersonic travel over land. (Photo: NASA)

NASA’s quest to reshape the landscape for supersonic aircraft remains on track as assembly progresses on the X-59 Quiet SuperSonic Technology (QueSST) demonstrator. Developed by Lockheed Martin under contract with NASA, the partners will use the X-plane to test public perception of a sonic “thud” that new supersonic designs create.