Supersonic flight has long been a dream for many in the aviation industry, but it has faced major hurdles, particularly when it comes to sonic booms. Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier in 1947, and since then, sonic booms have remained a significant challenge for aircraft development. However, Lockheed Martin is working with NASA on the X-59 Questt (Quiet SuperSonic Technology) project to minimize noise and vibration associated with supersonic flight.
The X-59 features an elongated fuselage design that places the cockpit above the fuselage. This allows for a smooth underbelly that prevents sonic booms from appearing behind the aircraft. The goal of this project is to eliminate speed limits on land when supersonic flight is no longer a problem due to noise pollution. The X-59 project began in 2018 with a budget of $248 million and is designed to fly at Mach 1.4.
In addition to reducing noise and vibration, the X-59 also features a unique cockpit configuration with high-resolution cameras instead of front windows. This allows pilots to see more clearly while flying supersonically without experiencing any discomfort or fatigue caused by traditional windows. Safety testing and acoustic evaluations will be conducted before test flights in cities to gather feedback on noise levels and ensure that the aircraft meets all necessary safety standards.
NASA hopes that data collected from this project will help lawmakers reconsider regulations on supersonic flights over land, as they are essential for transforming the aviation industry and saving passengers time.
Several companies in the supersonic aircraft industry are currently designing and building faster-than-sound aircraft, hoping to implement them within the next 5-10 years. Supersonic flight will revolutionize air travel by allowing passengers to travel faster than sound without experiencing any turbulence or other hazards associated with traditional commercial flights.
Despite these advancements, sonic booms remain a major hurdle in aircraft development. Sonic booms were first observed when Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier in 1947, but since then, they have continued to cause problems for commercial aviation.
In 1973, supersonic flight over land was banned globally due to sonic booms causing broken windows and vibrations. However, Lockheed Martin’s X-59 project aims to minimize noise and vibration associated with supersonic flight so that it can be safely implemented over land.
Overall, Lockheed Martin’s X-59 project represents an exciting opportunity for commercial supersonic flight over land, which could transform air travel by allowing passengers to save time while reducing their carbon footprint.