What is it?
NASAS X-59 Quiet supersonic research aircraft was developed by Lockheed Martin Skunk Works for the low boom flight demonstrator project of space agencies. Through the use of a long and narrow fuselage and canards, the X-59 can reduce the noise that reaches the ground from the sonic auges generated as the plane crosses the speed of the sound.
The X-59 cabin, the ejection seat and the canopy come from a training aircraft “Falón” T-38 and the landing train of a “Falcon” F-16 combat plane. The investigation plane (planet X) is 100 feet long (30.4 meters) and has a wingspan of 29.5 feet (9 meters).
Driven by a General Electric F-414 engine, it is projected that the X-59 reaches a maximum speed of Mach 1.5 or 990 mph (1,590 km/h), and navigated to Mach 1.42 or 940 mph (1,510 km/h) at 55,000 feet (16,800 meters).
Where is?
He thought that the X-59 thought it was well above the duration of the soil, the simulation tests, it was actually parked in the installation of Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works in Palmdale, California.
Why is it incredible?
“The idea behind these tests is to command the subsystems of the plane and the flight computer that work as if they are flying,” said Yhan Lin, the main airplane engineer of the X-59 at the NASA Armstrong flight research center, California, in an interview with AA.
Duration The test, the engineers lit most of the aircraft systems, but left the engine off. The flight computer still had control over the control surfaces of the X-59, responding to the inputs that simulated changes in the altitude, speed, temperature or health of its various systems.
“These were simple maneuvers, nothing too crazy,” Lin said. “We would like to inject faults into the plane to see what it would be like to answer. Would the system compensate for the fault? The pilot was able to recover?”
Historically, this work is known as “iron bird” test, called by a simple metal frame in which the representations of the aircraft subsystems are installed, connected and marked. Since the X-59 is unique in its kind, officials decided that it was better and less extent to use the plane.
As such, the series of exercises were called “aluminum bird” tests, since that is the main metal that includes the X-59.
Why learn more?
You can read about the previous X-59S tests, including a “cruise control” test and electromagnetic interference tests on the ground. You can also see photos of your Afterburner tests.
