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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.

How the X-59 Silences the Sonic Boom

One of the biggest challenges for supersonic flight has been the sonic boom—a loud, sharp explosion caused when an aircraft travels faster than sound. In the past, supersonic commercial travel, like the Concorde, was limited to oceans and remote areas because booms could rattle windows, disturb wildlife, and startle communities.

The X-59 tackles this problem with innovative engineering. Its elongated, needle-like nose, smooth fuselage, and top-mounted engine are designed to spread shockwaves over a longer distance, softening the sound that reaches the ground. Instead of a disruptive boom, observers should hear a muted “sonic thump,” similar to distant thunder or a car door closing.

NASA aims to provide regulators with acoustic data and public feedback to determine whether this approach could make routine supersonic flight over land acceptable. Early studies suggest communities might tolerate this level of noise, potentially opening the door for future supersonic passenger and cargo flights.