Prototype Construction Begins For US Supersonic X-59 'Low Boom' Aircraft - Lockheed Martin

Manufacturing of the first component for a prototype of the X-59 quiet supersonic technology aircraft, designed to fly over land without emitting a sonic boom, has begun in preparation for an initial test flight slated for 2021, Lockheed Martin said in a press release on Friday.

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 16th November, 2018) Manufacturing of the first component for a prototype of the X-59 quiet supersonic technology aircraft, designed to fly over land without emitting a sonic boom, has begun in preparation for an initial test flight slated for 2021, Lockheed Martin said in a press release on Friday.

"The long, slender design of the aircraft is the key to achieving a low sonic boom," the release said. "As we enter into the manufacturing phase, the aircraft structure begins to take shape, bringing us one step closer to enabling supersonic travel for passengers around the world."

NASA selected Lockheed Martin earlier this year to design, build and flight test the Low Boom Flight Demonstrator, the release said.

Lockheed Martin said the X-59 will conduct its first flight in 2021.

The aircraft will be used to collect community response data on the acceptability of the quiet sonic boom generated by the aircraft, helping NASA establish an acceptable commercial supersonic noise standard to overturn current regulations banning supersonic travel over land, according to the release.

The release made no mention of potential military uses of an aircraft that could fly over land without emitting a sonic boom, which can crack windows and damage buildings.

For commercial aviation, the X-59 could replace the Concord, which flew between the US and Europe at twice the speed of sound from1976 until 2003, when the plane was taken out of service because security following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks made the jet commercially unviable.