X-59 Soars: A New Era in Supersonic Flight Begins
Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) and NASA completed the first flight of the X-59 on October 28, 2025, launching from Plant 42 in Palmdale and landing near NASA Armstrong in Edwards, California.
The flight verified initial flying qualities and air data performance and set the program on track for upcoming supersonic test flights to measure a reduced sonic signature intended to enable commercial supersonic flight over land. Skunk Works will lead the initial flight test campaign with NASA to expand the X-59 flight envelope and conduct community acceptance testing for data-driven noise thresholds.
Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) e la NASA hanno completato il primo volo dell'X-59 il 28 ottobre 2025, decollando dal Plant 42 a Palmdale e atterrando vicino al NASA Armstrong a Edwards, California.
Il volo ha verificato le qualità iniziali di volo e le prestazioni dei dati aerodinamici e ha messo il programma sulla buona strada per le prossime prove di volo supersioniche per misurare una firma sonica ridotta pensata per consentire il volo supersónico commerciale su terra. Skunk Works guiderà la campagna di test di volo iniziale con la NASA per ampliare l'ambito di volo dell'X-59 e condurre test di accettazione da parte della comunità per soglie di rumore guidate dai dati.
Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) y la NASA completaron el primer vuelo del X-59 el 28 de octubre de 2025, despegando desde la Plant 42 en Palmdale y aterrizando cerca de NASA Armstrong en Edwards, California.
El vuelo verificó las cualidades de vuelo iniciales y el rendimiento de los datos de aire y puso al programa en marcha para las próximas pruebas de vuelo supersónicas para medir una firma sonora reducida destinada a permitir el vuelo supersónico comercial sobre tierra. Skunk Works dirigirá la campaña de pruebas de vuelo inicial con la NASA para ampliar el rango de vuelo del X-59 y realizar pruebas de aceptación comunitaria para umbrales de ruido basados en datos.
록히드 마틴(Lockheed Martin) (NYSE: LMT)와 NASA가 X-59의 첫 비행를 2025년 10월 28일에 완료했다. Palmdale의 Plant 42에서 이륙해 Edwards의 NASA Armstrong 근처에 착륙했다.
비행은 초기 비행 품질과 공기 데이터의 성능을 확인했고, 지상에서의 상용 초음속 비행을 가능하게 하려는 축소된 음향 서명을 측정하기 위한 향후 초음속 시험 비행으로 프로그램을 진행시켰다. Skunk Works는 NASA와 함께 X-59의 비행 범위를 확장하고 데이터 기반 소음 임계값에 대한 지역사회 수용 테스트를 수행하기 위한 초기 비행 테스트 캠페인을 이끌 예정이다.
Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) et la NASA ont achevé le premier vol de l'X-59 le 28 octobre 2025, décollant du Plant 42 à Palmdale et atterrissant près du NASA Armstrong à Edwards, Californie.
Le vol a vérifié les qualités de pilotage initiales et les performances des données aériennes et a mis le programme sur la bonne voie pour les prochaines essais en vol supersonique afin de mesurer une signature sonique réduite destinée à permettre des vols supersoniques commerciaux sur terre. Skunk Works dirigera la campagne d'essais en vol initiale avec la NASA pour étendre la plage de vol de l'X-59 et réaliser des tests d'acceptation communautaire pour des seuils de bruit basés sur les données.
Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) und die NASA haben den ersten Flug der X-59 am 28. Oktober 2025 absolviert, gestartet vom Plant 42 in Palmdale und gelandet nahe der NASA Armstrong in Edwards, Kalifornien.
Der Flug bestätigte die anfänglichen Flugeigenschaften und die Leistung der Luftdaten und setzte das Programm auf Kurs für kommende sonic-test flights, um eine reduzierte Schallwirkung zu messen, die kommerzielle Überschallflüge über Land ermöglichen soll. Skunk Works wird die anfängliche Flugtest-Kampagne mit der NASA leiten, um das X-59-Flugprofil zu erweitern und gemeinschaftliche Akzeptanztests für datenbasierte Geräuschschwellen durchzuführen.
لوكهيد مارتن (NYSE: LMT) وناسا أكملتا أول رحلة لـ X-59 في 28 أكتوبر 2025، حيث أقلعت من Plant 42 في بالمديل ولُبِست من NASA Armstrong في Edwards، كاليفورنيا.
اختبرت الرحلة الصفات الأولية للطيران وأداء بيانات الجو ووضعت البرنامج على المسار الصحيح لعمليات اختبارات صوتية فائق الصوت القادمة لقياس توقيع صوتي مخفض يهدف إلى تمكين الرحلة التجارية فائق الصوت فوق الأرض. ستقود Skunk Works حملة الاختبار الأولية مع ناسا لتوسيع مدى طيران X-59 وإجراء اختبارات قبول المجتمع لحدود الضوضاء المستندة إلى البيانات.
洛克希德·马丁 (NYSE: LMT) 与 NASA 完成了 X-59 的首次飞行，于 2025年10月28日 从 Palmdale 的 Plant 42 起飞，并在 Edwards 的 NASA Armstrong 附近着陆。
此次飞行验证了初始飞行品质和空气数据性能，并让项目走上了前往即将进行的 超音速试飞 的正确轨道，以测量旨在使商业超音速在陆地上飞行成为可能的降低音速签名。Skunk Works 将与 NASA 共同领导初始飞行试验任务，以扩大 X-59 的飞行包线，并进行基于数据的噪声阈值的社区接受测试。
- First flight completed on October 28, 2025
- Initial flying qualities and air data performance verified
- Program advances to planned supersonic flights for quiet-boom measurement
- Enables NASA community acceptance testing and data for noise thresholds
- Demonstrates continued Skunk Works leadership in supersonic R&D
- None.
Insights
Successful first flight of the X-59 on
Lockheed Martin Skunk Works conducted the X-59 maiden flight from Plant 42 to NASA Armstrong and reported that the aircraft "performed exactly as planned," confirming initial flying qualities and air data performance. The program will continue with expanded flight testing, including the aircraft's first supersonic flights to measure sound signature and support community acceptance testing.
The main dependency is completion of the supersonic flight envelope and sound-measurement campaign; those steps determine whether data will support new acceptable noise thresholds for supersonic flight over land. Risks include test-phase setbacks, but the disclosed facts show no failures at this stage. Watch for the start and results of the supersonic flight program and subsequent community noise measurements over the coming months, which will provide the concrete data needed to influence regulatory thresholds and commercial feasibility.
The X-59 took off from Skunk Works' facility at
"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."
The X-59 is a one-of-a-kind supersonic aircraft designed to demonstrate the ability to fly at supersonic speeds while reducing the sonic boom to a gentle thump. In doing so, the X-59 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.
"X-59 is a symbol of American ingenuity. The American spirit knows no bounds. It's part of our DNA – the desire to go farther, faster, and even quieter than anyone has ever gone before. This work sustains America's place as the leader in aviation and has the potential to change the way the public flies," said Sean Duffy, acting NASA Administrator.
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.
This achievement demonstrates Lockheed Martin's commitment to pushing the boundaries of aerospace innovation and its dedication to creating cutting-edge solutions for the future of flight.
About Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin is a global defense technology company driving innovation and advancing scientific discovery. Our all-domain mission solutions and 21st Century Security® vision accelerate the delivery of transformative technologies to ensure those we serve always stay ahead of ready. More information at Lockheedmartin.com.
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SOURCE Lockheed Martin Aeronautics
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