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Lockheed Martin X-59 QueSST Quiet Supersonic Research Aircraft Family

The Lockheed Martin X-59 is a one-of-a-kind research aircraft built for NASA’s Quesst mission to investigate quieter supersonic flight over land. It first flew on October 28, 2025. In an October 28, 2026 progress report, NASA recorded 40 further flights, speeds up to Mach 1.53, and altitudes above 56,000 feet. That envelope-expansion work precedes acoustic validation: measuring the sound produced by the aircraft before community-response research. Its intended quiet-flight condition is Mach 1.4 at 55,000 feet. The mission aims to supply noise and public-response data for regulators considering future supersonic flight over land; the aircraft is a research demonstrator rather than a passenger transport.

Lockheed Martin X-59 QueSST Quiet Supersonic Research Aircraft Family
NASA / Jim Ross · NASA content is generally not subject to U.S. copyright and may be used for educational or informational purposes under NASA's Images and Media Usage Guidelines. NASA is acknowledged as the source; use is factual and does not imply NASA endorsement. NASA insignia, identifiers, and any third-party rights remain protected under the stated guidelines. · Source
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Identity

Aliases
X-59X-59 QueSSTQueSSTQuiet SuperSonic Technology aircraft
Family Name
Lockheed Martin X-59 QueSST
Full Name
Lockheed Martin X-59 QueSST Quiet Supersonic Research Aircraft Family
Roles
researchexperimentaltechnology_demonstrator
Status
active
Type
aircraft

Details

Aircraft Specs
Configuration
fixed_wing
Operating Modes
land
Takeoff Landing Capabilities
conventional
Description
The Lockheed Martin X-59 is a one-of-a-kind research aircraft built for NASA’s Quesst mission to investigate quieter supersonic flight over land. It first flew on October 28, 2025. In an October 28, 2026 progress report, NASA recorded 40 further flights, speeds up to Mach 1.53, and altitudes above 56,000 feet. That envelope-expansion work precedes acoustic validation: measuring the sound produced by the aircraft before community-response research. Its intended quiet-flight condition is Mach 1.4 at 55,000 feet. The mission aims to supply noise and public-response data for regulators considering future supersonic flight over land; the aircraft is a research demonstrator rather than a passenger transport.
First Flight Year
2,025
Manufacturer
Propulsion Configurations
  • Entries
    • Count
      1
      Placement
      fuselage
      Propulsion System
      Role
      main
      Stage
      airframe
      Variant Notes
      One modified GE F414-GE-100 turbofan installed in the X-59; NASA documents the named variant and its 22,000 lbf afterburning thrust.
    Name
    Lockheed Martin X-59 F414-GE-100 installation
    Notes
    NASA identifies one modified GE F414-GE-100 as the X-59 powerplant and documents its installation and engine testing; the exact variant is linked directly.

Links

Official Url
https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/quesst/2026/10/28/nasa-celebrates-a-year-of-progress-since-first-x-59-flight/

Assets & Meta

Creation Time
August 13, 2026 at 08:38:53 UTC
Updated Time
October 29, 2026 at 15:29:16 UTC
Image
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