Lockheed moves towards QueSST PDR

The X-59 has received approval for final assembly. Ground tests are scheduled for next year at Edwards, with first flight in 2021 and first supersonic flight in 2022.

www.avgeekery.com...

a reply to: Zaphod58

such a strange looking aircraft.

Boeing has a supersonic business jet right now, granted it has the boom

a reply to: penroc3

Technically it's Aerion, with Boeing as an investment partner.

i love build photos..

a reply to: Blackfinger

Boom Supersonic has been sharing some interesting ones of XB-1 coming together.

Skunk Works has three areas set up to construct the fuselage, the wings, and empenage. Full integration and assembly will be complete by late next year, with first flight in 2021.

www.nasa.gov...

a reply to: Zaphod58

Have they put a face on it? Looks like a pair of eyes and a moustache on what might be the bulkhead of the cockpit?

a reply to: Zaphod58
Gotta love the Sapphire tech for 3d printing the Xb1.Similar 5 axis layering robot to Black Diamond maybe?
XB1 build

A pair of F414-GE-100 engines were delivered to the Armstrong Flight Research Center at Edwards. They'll be inspected and then transported to Palmdale. One engine will be installed, and the second will be a spare. The engines were designed and built from the F414 that was built for the Gripen. A baseline F414-GE-39E was used for the design, but it was built from the ground up for the X-59. The engine was tested at extended afterburner durations that the X-59 will see.

www.nasa.gov...

a reply to: Zaphod58

I didn’t read if it had supercruise, don’t suppose it matters much for a test aircraft?

Interesting if they solve the solid boom issue, but there is still the efficiency problem and the cost to run, which grounded concord.

What else will they need, more efficient engines?

a reply to: Forensick

Between the 250 mile limit on supersonic flight, and the general noise levels, Concorde didn't really have a chance. If the X-59 works, both of those factors should go away. It will be able to beat the economic challenges Concorde couldn't.

Time lapse of the X-59 being built.

a reply to: Zaphod58

Does it looks somewhat similar to the quiet fastmoover that you saw a couple time over wyoming a couple years ago ?

a reply to: Ghoul

I didn't get a really good look at that one, to make out a lot of detail, but no. That one wasn't nearly as sharp as the X-59 is. Looked like a pointed nose, but not as pointed.

a reply to: Zaphod58

it will be interesting if computer models are correct.

it would go along way for virtual designing of aircraft

The X-59 has moved out of the hangar, to a location between the hangars and runway. That's a sign that ground testing in imminent.

www.nasa.gov...

Hey Zap! Tis one for you from ….Comic-Con 2023


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a reply to: Ophiuchus1

Niiiice. I almost ordered a really nice 1/72 scale from a company in Hong Kong, until I found out that if I wanted it in 7-14 days it was $51 shipping, on a $90 sale price, and if I wanted it in 2-4 months or longer, it was $21.

a reply to: Zaphod58
Pretty sure someone made a 1:1 scale Varitech cockpit overseas...

a reply to: Blackfinger

There’s a huge one that actually, slowly, transforms. I want to see that one.