NASA orders to build a new generation supersonic jet

On April 3, the US Aerospace Agency (NASA) signed a contract with US Defense and Aerospace Corporation Lockheed Martin to develop "X-plane" - operation less noisy due to not creating made a supersonic explosion.

According to NASA, this $ 247.5 million contract will include design, manufacturing and finished aircraft that will have the first test flight in 2021. It is expected that the test flight distance will be around 16.8. km with a speed of more than 1.5 km / h and only makes noise similar to the sound of a car closing - equivalent to 75 Decibel (PldB), instead of a supersonic explosion. By mid-2022, NASA will deploy the X-plane test flying through US cities to collect data and receive feedback from the professional community.

NASA's "X-plane" aircraft design.(Source: NASA).

Speaking to reporters, NASA CEO Jaiwon Shin said the X-plane program is an important step in the development of future supersonic aircraft. NASA's goal is to have quieter supersonic jet flights, while opening new commercial and passenger markets.

Last month, US President Donald Trump signed a federal budget to finance the project. He stressed that this new generation aircraft will open a new market for US companies in making commercial aircraft with faster travel speeds, halving flight time and creating more jobs. .

However, in order to implement this project, it must prove the ability to carry out a quieter test of supersonic aircraft. After that, the US Aviation Authority will have to change the rules to lift the current ban on civilian supersonic flights flying inland.

Several other companies, such as Virgin Galactic and Spike Aerospace, are also in the process of making supersonic civil jets.