NASA’s X-59 Quiet Supersonic Research Aircraft Cleared for Final Assembly
December 17, 2019 | NASAEstimated reading time: 1 minute

NASA’s first large scale, piloted X-plane in more than three decades is cleared for final assembly and integration of its systems following a major project review by senior managers held Thursday at NASA Headquarters in Washington.
The management review, known as Key Decision Point-D (KDP-D), was the last programmatic hurdle for the X-59 Quiet SuperSonic Technology (QueSST) aircraft to clear before officials meet again in late 2020 to approve the airplane’s first flight in 2021.
“With the completion of KDP-D we’ve shown the project is on schedule, it’s well planned and on track. We have everything in place to continue this historic research mission for the nation’s air-traveling public,” said Bob Pearce, NASA’s associate administrator for Aeronautics.
The X-59 is shaped to reduce the loudness of a sonic boom reaching the ground to that of a gentle thump, if it is heard at all. It will be flown above select U.S. communities to generate data from sensors and people on the ground in order to gauge public perception. That data will help regulators establish new rules to enable commercial supersonic air travel over land.
Construction of the X-59, under a $247.5 million cost-plus-incentive-fee contract, is continuing at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company’s Skunk Works factory in Palmdale, California.
Three major work areas are actively set up for building the airplane’s main fuselage, wing and empennage. Final assembly and integration of the airplane’s systems—including an innovative cockpit eXternal Visibility System—is targeted for late 2020.
Management of the X-59 QueSST development and construction falls under the Low Boom Flight Demonstrator project, which is part of NASA’s Integrated Aviation Systems Program.
Suggested Items
Horizon Sales Celebrates 10 Years of Exceptional Service by Sales Leader David Smith
07/02/2025 | Horizon SalesHorizon Sales, a premier manufacturers’ representative and distributor for the electronics assembly industry, is proud to announce that David Smith is celebrating 10 years with the company this month.
EU Defence Electronics Ecosystem Highlighted in Brussels
07/01/2025 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamIn this interview, Alison James, senior director of Global Electronics Association—Europe (formerly IPC), discusses the European Defence & Security Summit in Brussels, June 9–13, as well as the first IPC–ASD Europe Defense Electronics Summit, June 10th, which brought together 70 leaders from across the electronics manufacturing supply chain. ASD is the Aerospace, Security and Defence Industries Association of Europe, and co-hosted both the larger and smaller events.
Europlacer Expands U.S. Reach with New Eastern Region Representative
06/30/2025 | EuroplacerEuroplacer, a global leader in flexible SMT assembly solutions for High-Mix manufacturers, is pleased to announce the appointment of Photo Chemical Systems as its new representative for the Eastern United States.
PCBA Market to Reach $147.5 Billion by 2035, Growing at a CAGR of 4.7% from 2025
06/27/2025 | PRNewswireThe Printed Circuit Board Assembly market is projected to reach $147.5 billion by 2035, up from an estimated $90.91 billion in 2025, growing at a steady CAGR of 4.7% during the forecast period.
Indium Corporation Expert to Present on Automotive and Industrial Solder Bonding Solutions at Global Electronics Association Workshop
06/26/2025 | IndiumIndium Corporation Principal Engineer, Advanced Materials, Andy Mackie, Ph.D., MSc, will deliver a technical presentation on innovative solder bonding solutions for automotive and industrial applications at the Global Electronics A