Overview
- The experimental jet flew on Oct. 28 from Lockheed Martin’s Palmdale facility to NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center with NASA test pilot Nils Larson at the controls.
- The shakedown sortie was intentionally subsonic at roughly 230–240 mph around 12,000 feet to verify systems before moving to higher, faster profiles.
- The program seeks to replace disruptive sonic booms with a softer “thump,” followed by community overflights and public surveys planned through 2029.
- NASA has paid Lockheed Martin more than $518 million since 2018 for development and demonstration, according to agency contracting data reported by Reuters.
- Findings will be delivered to U.S. and international authorities considering a shift from the current overland supersonic ban to a noise-based standard.