NASA's experimental supersonic aircraft ends second flight early

NASA announced on Friday that the experimental supersonic X-59 low-boom flight demonstrator aircraft made its second flight. The supersonic aircraft took off at 10:54 a.m. PDT from Edwards Air Force Base, near NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center, in Edwards, California. During the flight, the vehicle system warning turned on in the cockpit. Pilot Jim "Clue" Less called a return-to-base and the X-59 landed at 11:03 a.m. NASA states that the team was able to collect information for future tests despite the shortened flight time. "Despite the early landing, this is a good day for the team. We collected more data, and the pilot landed safely," said Cathy Bahm, NASA's project manager for the demonstrator at the research center. "We're looking forward to getting back to flight as soon as possible." Supersonic flight is restricted over land due to noise concerns. The goal of the X-59 is to overcome that barrier, opening the door to supersonic commercial flight. It is designed to fly at supersonic speeds without producing a loud sonic boom. The aircraft is instead intended to produce a quiet thump by operating at the optimal speed and altitude. RELATED STORIES: Hermeus completes first flight of latest supersonic Quarterhorse aircraft Lockheed Martin Skunk Works completes first flight of X-59 supersonic aircraft Spike Aerospace gives progress report on supersonic business jet NASA states the X-59 is the centerpiece of its Quesst mission, which aims to create commercial supersonic flight. It completed its first flight in Oct. 2025 in collaboration with Lockheed Martin. Flight testing is planned to accelerate in 2026 and will demonstrate its airworthiness and performance by gradually flying faster and higher in a process NASA calls envelope expansion. "As we like to say, it was just like the simulator - and that's what we like to hear," said Less. "This is just the beginning of a long flight campaign."