This is an artist's concept of a possible Low Boom Flight Demonstration Quiet Supersonic Transport (QueSST) X-plane design. The award of a preliminary design contract is the first step towards the possible return of supersonic passenger travel – but this time quieter and more affordable.
Credits: Lockheed Martin

NASA has awarded a contract for the preliminary design of a "low boom" flight demonstration aircraft. NASA selected a team led by Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company of Palmdale, California, to complete a preliminary design for the agency's Quiet Supersonic Technology (QueSST). "NASA is working hard to make flight greener, safer and quieter – all while developing aircraft that travel faster, and building an aviation system that operates more efficiently," said Bolden. "To that end, it's worth noting that it's been almost 70 years since Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier in the Bell X-1 as part of our predecessor agency's high speed research. Now we're continuing that supersonic X-plane legacy with this preliminary design award for a quieter supersonic jet with an aim toward passenger flight." In addition to design and building, this Low Boom Flight Demonstration (LBFD) phase of the project also will include validation of community response to the new, quieter supersonic design.

For more information, see the NASA Begins Work to Build a Quieter Supersonic Passenger Jet website.