The major attraction of supersonic flight—faster travel to your destination—has always been undermined by the boom. Supersonic flight over land has been forbidden in the U.S. because of the noise from sonic booms. The Concorde, which last flew in 2003, was only supersonic over the ocean.

To tamp down the noise from supersonic flight, NASA’s Commercial Supersonic Technology Project is advancing the Quiet Supersonic Technology (QueSST) experimental aircraft (X-plane). The concept is being developed by NASA and partner Lockheed Martin.A NASA Glenn Research Center technician prepares the QueSST experimental aircraft for testing in the 8’ x 6’ wind tunnel. Image credit: NASA

The distinctively-shaped X-plane is being designed with a long nose and highly swept wings with the goal of turning sonic booms into sonic thumps. Accomplishing this would help make the case for updating the rule against supersonic flight over land.

To verify the aerodynamic performance predictions of the fuselage shape, control surfaces and engine inlet, the NASA-Lockheed team has built a scale model of the QueSST design for wind-tunnel testing. NASA Glenn Research Center’s 8’ X 6’ wind tunnel was selected for this testing because of its size and unique capability to test at a large range of speeds.

NASA will review the test data and complete the preliminary design review. If data are positive and approval is obtained, then a contract for the design, fabrication and testing of a single-seat flight demonstration X-plane could be awarded. Flight testing could begin as early as 2021.