The supersonic aircraft 'X-59,' being developed in collaboration with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Lockheed Martin, has begun taxi tests ahead of its flight trials.
According to NASA on the 19th (local time), the X-59 development team conducted the first low-speed taxi test at the U.S. Air Force's Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, on the 10th. NASA noted that "the taxi test signifies the last ground test for the X-59 before its flight trials."
The X-59 successfully completed its low-speed taxi test, moving under its own power for the first time. In the coming weeks, it will continue to increase its taxi speed, ultimately executing high-speed taxi tests just before takeoff.
During the low-speed taxi test, engineers and flight crew monitored the operation of the X-59's steering and braking systems. This phase examines the aircraft's stability and control capabilities.
The X-59 is being developed through a project called QueSST, a collaboration between NASA and Lockheed Martin. QueSST stands for "Quiet Supersonic Technology." Although supersonic passenger aircraft were commercialized with Concorde, operations were eventually discontinued due to the significant shockwaves and noise produced when breaking the sound barrier. The X-59 incorporates various technologies to reduce shockwaves and noise.
The speed of the X-59 is around 1,489 kilometers per hour, which is 1.4 times the speed of sound. It can travel from New York, U.S., to London, U.K., in about three and a half hours.