May 3, 2024

Jet Engine Installed on NASA’s X-59 QueSST Quiet Supersonic Aircraft

NASAs X-59 Quiet SuperSonic Technology aircraft, or QueSST, is created to fly faster than the speed of noise without producing a loud, disruptive sonic boom, which is generally heard on the ground below airplane flying at such speeds. A GE Aviation F414-GE-100 engine is installed in NASAs quiet supersonic X-59 airplane, at Lockheed Martins Skunk Works center in Palmdale, California. NASAs X-59 is the focal point of the companys Quesst mission.

A GE Aviation F414-GE-100 engine is set up in NASAs peaceful supersonic X-59 airplane, at Lockheed Martins Skunk Works facility in Palmdale, California. The 13-foot-long engine loads 22,000 pounds of propulsion energy and will power the X-59 to accelerate to Mach 1.4. Installation of the engine marks a significant milestone as the X-59 nears assembly completion, taxi tests, and first flight. Credit: NASA/Carla Thomas
” The engine setup is the culmination of years of style and preparation by the NASA, Lockheed Martin, and General Electric Aviation teams,” stated Ray Castner, NASAs propulsion efficiency lead for the X-59. “I am both amazed with and happy with this combined group thats spent the past couple of months establishing the crucial treatments, which permitted a smooth installation.”
The X-59 group will follow the airplanes assembly with a series of ground tests and ultimately, very first flight in 2023.
NASAs X-59 is the centerpiece of the firms Quesst objective. The airplane is created to reduce the noise of sonic booms, which take place when an aircraft flies at supersonic speeds, to a quiet sonic “thump.” This will be shown when NASA flies the X-59 over communities around the U.S. starting in 2025, with the goal of providing the data essential to open the future to business supersonic flight over land, considerably reducing flight times.

NASAs X-59 Quiet SuperSonic Technology airplane, or QueSST, is developed to fly faster than the speed of sound without producing a loud, disruptive sonic boom, which is usually heard on the ground below airplane flying at such speeds. Instead, with the X-59, people on the ground will hear absolutely nothing more than a peaceful sonic thump– if they hear anything. Credit: NASA/ Joey Ponthieux
NASAs peaceful supersonic X-59 airplane now has the jet engine that will power it in flight.
Previously this month, at Lockheed Martins Skunk Works center in Palmdale, California, the F414-GE-100 engine was installed. This marks a major milestone as the X-59 approaches the conclusion of its assembly.
The F414-GE-100 engine from General Electric Aviation determines 13-foot-long and loads 22,000 pounds of propulsion energy and will power the X-59 as it flies at accelerate to Mach 1.4 and altitudes around 55,000 feet.