Skunk Works Rolls Out X-59, NASA's Newest X-Plane
January 15, 2024 | Lockheed MartinEstimated reading time: 1 minute
Lockheed Martin Skunk Works rolled out the X-59, a unique experimental aircraft designed to quiet the sonic boom, at a ceremony in Palmdale, California. The ceremony marked a significant milestone in Lockheed Martin's and NASA's decades-long journey to solve one of the most persistent challenges of supersonic flight – the sonic boom.
"We're thrilled to take on this challenge alongside NASA, whose quiet supersonic technology mission will have lasting, transformational impacts for people around the world," said John Clark, vice president and general manager, Lockheed Martin Skunk Works. "This project is just one example of the broader ingenuity of our industry as we continually strive to push the envelope of what's possible."
Rollout ceremonies are a long-standing aviation tradition, and in the case of the X-59, it celebrated technical advancements, collaboration and innovation that stemmed from years of research, development and production of a one-of-a-kind technology demonstrator aircraft that will reduce the loudness of sonic booms to a gentle thump.
"The entire X-59 team leaned into the expertise of both legendary organizations, NASA and Lockheed Martin, to ensure success for this program. I am extremely proud of everyone who made this historic moment possible," said Greg Ulmer, executive vice president, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics.
Lockheed Martin, NASA and government leaders attended the ceremony to include:
- Greg Ulmer, executive vice president, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics
- John Clark, vice president and general manager, Lockheed Martin Skunk Works
- Pam Melroy, NASA Deputy Administrator
- Jim Free, NASA Associate Administrator
- Bob Pearce, NASA Associate Administrator
- Dee Dee Myers, California's Senior Economic Advisor to the Governor
RELATED VIDEO:
Suggested Items
Lockheed Martin's LM 400 Tech Demo to Prove Out Design and Risk Reduction Efforts
03/06/2025 | Lockheed MartinThe latest self-funded technology demonstration from Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) is ready to launch no earlier than March 15.
Lockheed Martin, Nokia, and Verizon Advance Defense Capabilities Through 5G.MIL® Collaboration
03/04/2025 | Lockheed MartinLockheed Martin, Nokia, and Verizon announced the successful integration of Nokia's industry-leading, military-grade 5G solutions into Lockheed Martin's 5G.MIL® Hybrid Base Station (HBS).
LRASM Performs Flight Test in F-35 Integration Test Series
03/04/2025 | Lockheed MartinLockheed Martin and the F-35 Pax River Integrated Test Force (ITF) completed an initial flight test integrating the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) weapon system onto the F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter jet. This most recent test follows a flight test with LRASM on F-35C in September 2024.
Lockheed Martin Unveils Scalable Counter-Unmanned Aerial System Solution
02/28/2025 | Lockheed MartinAs the threat of small Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) continues to evolve, Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) is demonstrating a new approach to counter these emerging threats.
Lockheed Martin Matures Next Secure Communications Satellite Solution for U.S. Space Force with Major Design Milestone
02/11/2025 | Lockheed MartinLockheed Martin has now proven the readiness of its satellite design in support of the U.S. Space Force (USSF) Space Systems Command’s upcoming Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) Service Life Extension (SLE) program through successful execution of an Early Design Review (EDR).