NASA and US weapons and aerospace manufacturer Lockheed Martin successfully carried out a test flight of a new supersonic jet in the skies above Lockheed’s Palmdale facility on 28 October 2025.
The X-59, which, like other aircraft since the 1940s, including the French-British collaboration Concorde, is capable of travelling faster than the speed of sound. In this instance, it flew at a top speed of just 230 mph and an altitude of 12,000 feet for its first outing. It landed 48km away near NASA’s Edwards, California, research centre, a Lockheed statement revealed.
Check out these never-before-seen landing photos from X-59's first flight! 👀 pic.twitter.com/hP9SxkkXKx
— Lockheed Martin (@LockheedMartin) November 6, 2025
OJ Sanchez, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, said: “We are thrilled to achieve the first flight of the X-59. This aircraft is a testament to the innovation and expertise of our joint team, and we are proud to be at the forefront of quiet supersonic technology development.”
Described as a “one-of-a-kind supersonic aircraft designed to demonstrate the ability to fly at supersonic speeds while reducing the sonic boom to a gentle thump,” the X-59 aims to overcome noise concerns that currently restrict commercial supersonic flights. The test operation will provide data, including “community responses” that will help to establish new norms, the statement said.
🇺🇸 The U.S. has conducted the first flight of a silent supersonic aircraft
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) October 29, 2025
Lockheed Martin, in collaboration with NASA, has carried out the maiden flight of the quiet supersonic aircraft X-59.
The plane was built as a single prototype and could mark the beginning of a new era… pic.twitter.com/S1K3t7T6u5
Commenting on the tests, US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who is also acting NASA Administrator, hailed the X-59 as “a symbol of American ingenuity.” He went on: “The American spirit knows no bounds. It’s part of our DNA – the desire to go farther, faster, and even quieter than anyone has ever gone before. This work sustains America’s place as the leader in aviation and has the potential to change the way the public flies.”
ICYMI: X-59 recently completed its first flight!🦨
— Lockheed Martin (@LockheedMartin) November 1, 2025
Welcome to the new era of quiet supersonic innovation. pic.twitter.com/p94jBdv2Hx
US President Donald Trump lifted the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) veto on supersonic flights in June 2025. For many flyers, supersonic travel seems a low priority this week, however. Flight traffic in the US suffered a major blow as the FAA was forced to intervene in the air traffic control situation resulting from the ongoing federal government budget shutdown. Air traffic will be reduced by 10% at 40 airports from 7 November 2025, affecting thousands of flights and passengers nationwide.
Duffy had previously warned of the cancellations, saying that many air traffic control workers, who are considered essential workers and must continue without pay during federal shutdowns, could be working two jobs to make ends meet, with the resulting strain, fatigue, and staff shortages putting flights and passengers at risk.
