NASA thử nghiệm thành công máy bay X-59 QueSST đạt vận tốc siêu thanh Mach 1.1
NASA's X-59 prototype aircraft has just completed a significant milestone, reaching Mach 1.1, opening up prospects for quiet supersonic flights over land.
NASA's X-59 QueSST drone has officially achieved supersonic speed in its latest test flight. This is a key milestone in the next-generation aviation technology development program, aiming to demonstrate the ability to fly at supersonic speeds while ensuring quiet operation for populated areas below.
The Mach 1.1 test flight sequence
The flight, conducted by test pilot Jim "Clue" Less, took off from Edwards Air Force Base in California. According to NASA, the aircraft reached a speed of approximately Mach 1.1 (faster than the speed of sound) during its 81-minute journey, which began at 11:08 a.m. (Pacific Time).
Throughout the testing process, experts conducted detailed assessments of the aircraft's flight characteristics in both subsonic and supersonic modes. Notably, a NASA F-15 fighter jet flew alongside to monitor and measure the acoustic data generated by the X-59.
QueSST technology: Eliminating ultrasonic noise.
The core objective of the QueSST (Quiet SuperSonic Technology) program is to replace the sonic boom with smaller noises, described as gentle "thumps." This is achieved through a special aerodynamic design with a nose section that is 28.7 meters long and extremely pointed.
This design allows for the dispersion of shock waves, preventing them from coalescing into a large explosion when the aircraft breaks the sound barrier. If this technology proves successful, international regulations restricting supersonic flight over land could be lifted, ushering in a new era for high-speed commercial air transport.
Key technical specifications of the X-59 aircraft.
This experimental aircraft is equipped with the most advanced aviation technologies available today to optimize performance and reduce noise:
- Engine:It uses the powerful F414-GE-100 jet engine.
- Size: Chiều dài toàn thân đạt 28,7m với sải cánh rộng 9m.
- Tốc độ mục tiêu: Thiết kế để hoạt động ổn định ở dải vận tốc siêu thanh với tác động âm thanh tối thiểu.
X-59 thực hiện chuyến bay đầu tiên vào cuối tháng 10/2025. Các đợt thử nghiệm sắp tới sẽ tập trung vào việc đo lường phản ứng của cộng đồng dân cư đối với âm thanh phát ra khi máy bay bay ngang qua, làm cơ sở dữ liệu để các cơ quan quản lý hàng không xem xét thay đổi quy định hiện hành.
