NASA began testing the X-59 experimental aircraft in June 2026 to demonstrate supersonic flight that produces a quiet "low-boom" signature [1].
The project seeks to overcome the noise pollution that ended the era of commercial supersonic travel. By reducing the sonic boom to a dull thump, NASA aims to persuade regulators to lift bans on supersonic flights over land.
Test pilots James Less and David Nils Larson conducted the first flight of the aircraft on June 12, 2026 [2], operating out of the NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center and Edwards Air Force Base in California [1]. The X-59 is designed to reshape shockwaves so they do not coalesce into a loud blast.
"We’re hearing a thump, not a boom," Less said [3].
Engineers are targeting a low-boom sound level of 75 decibels [1]. To provide a real-world comparison, an unnamed NASA engineer said the goal is to make the boom sound like a car door slamming shut 20 feet away [1].
While the primary focus is the X-59's own performance, some reports indicate NASA may also use the aircraft to generate shockwaves for other jets, such as the F-15, to fly through [4]. This variety of testing helps researchers understand how different airframes interact with supersonic pressure waves.
The X-59 represents a shift in aviation design, prioritizing acoustic signatures over raw speed. If the tests prove successful, the data could be used to establish new international noise standards for aircraft.
"This could open the door for a new generation of supersonic aircraft," Schwartz said [5].
“"We’re hearing a thump, not a boom."”
The X-59 is not a commercial product but a research tool designed to provide the empirical data necessary to change aviation law. Currently, supersonic flight is prohibited over land in the U.S. and many other countries due to the disruptive nature of sonic booms. By proving that a 'low-boom' flight is possible, NASA is attempting to remove the primary regulatory barrier that has prevented the return of supersonic passenger travel since the Concorde was retired.
