NASA’s Quiet Supersonic Demonstrator Jet Completes First Flight

November 5, 2025

The X-59 Quiet Supersonic Technology (QueSST), pictured here, completed its maiden flight in California last week. (Image: Lockheed Martin)

Lockheed Martin Skunk Works^,and NASA recently completed the first flight of the X-59, a quiet supersonic aircraft that is being flight tested to help establish an acceptable noise standard for future commercial supersonic flights over land.

The X-59 took off from Skunk Works' facility at U.S. Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, before landing near NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. The aircraft performed exactly as planned, verifying initial flying qualities and air data performance on the way to a safe landing at its new home.

"We are thrilled to achieve the first flight of the X-59," said OJ Sanchez, Vice President and General Manager of Lockheed Martin Skunk Works. "This aircraft is a testament to the innovation and expertise of our joint team, and we are proud to be at the forefront of quiet supersonic technology development."

At 99.7 feet long and 29.5 feet wide, the aircraft’s shape and the technological advancements it houses will make quiet supersonic flight possible. The X-59 is designed to fly at Mach 1.4 — 1.4 times the speed of sound — or 925 mph. Lockheed Martin has not publicly released official details about the top speed reached by the X-59 during its maiden flight.

The X-59 is designed to demonstrate the ability to fly at supersonic speeds while reducing the sonic boom generated to a gentle thump. In doing so, the aircraft aims to overcome one of the primary barriers to supersonic commercial flight, which is currently restricted over land due to noise concerns.

The X-59's successful development and flight testing will inform the establishment of new data-driven acceptable noise thresholds related to supersonic commercial flight over land, paving the way for a new generation of supersonic aircraft that can efficiently and sustainably transport passengers and cargo twice as fast as aircraft today.

Skunk Works will continue to lead the aircraft's initial flight test campaign, working closely with NASA to expand the X-59's flight envelope over the coming months. Part of this test journey will include the X-59's first supersonic flights, where the aircraft will achieve the optimal speed and altitude for a quiet boom. This will enable NASA to operate the X-59 to measure its sound signature and conduct community acceptance testing.

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