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NASA’s experimental X-59 aircraft has achieved a major milestone in the quest for quiet supersonic flight. Engineers successfully ran the jet’s engine at full afterburner during nighttime ground testing at Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works facility in Palmdale, California. The dramatic test brings the X-59 closer to flying faster than sound without producing the disruptive sonic booms that previously grounded civilian supersonic travel over land.

The X-59 is part of NASA’s Quest mission, a research initiative designed to gather critical data on noise reduction for supersonic aircraft. Its success could reshape the future of high-speed air travel, allowing passenger and cargo planes to fly at supersonic speeds over populated areas without disturbing communities below.

Full-Power Engine Test Confirms Supersonic Readiness

The X-59 is powered by a modified F414-GE-100 engine, derived from the same engine that powers the U.S. Navy’s F/A-18 Super Hornet. To reach supersonic speeds, the aircraft relies on an afterburner, which injects extra fuel into the exhaust stream to produce a temporary burst of additional thrust.

During the recent ground tests, engineers ran the engine through a series of increasingly demanding trials, culminating in maximum afterburner power. They closely monitored the engine’s temperature, airflow, and interaction with the aircraft’s cooling, electrical, and control systems. The successful run confirms the aircraft can safely generate the thrust needed to exceed the speed of sound while remaining within safe operational limits.

Lockheed Martin described the test as “precision, power, and engineering excellence on full display,” capturing the fiery exhaust plume in vivid nighttime photos that highlight the jet’s futuristic design.