AssetID: 55227734
Headline: RAW VIDEO: NASA’s supersonic 'son of Concorde' takes to the skies for the first time
Caption: NASA’s first quiet supersonic jet has officially completed its maiden flight. Nicknamed the 'Son of Concorde', the aircraft took nearly a decade to build before taking to the skies for the first time on Tuesday, October 28, 2025. Developed by Lockheed Martin for NASA, the jet — officially named X-59 — is a 100-foot-long experimental aircraft valued at $247 million. It departed from Palmdale Regional Airport and successfully returned to NASA’s Armstrong Research Center after nearly an hour in flight. During the initial test, the X-59 reached an altitude of 12,000 feet, considerably lower than commercial airliners, though engineers expect it to eventually soar at 55,000 feet. With a designed top speed of 925 mph, the aircraft could one day cover the distance between New York and London in just four hours. Lockheed Martin expressed excitement following the milestone. OJ Sanchez, vice president and general manager of the company’s Skunk Works division, said: "We are proud to be at the forefront of quiet supersonic technology development», adding that «the aircraft is a testament to the innovation and expertise of our joint team". Although the prototype reached only 230 mph during this first flight, NASA and Lockheed Martin engineers remain optimistic. Future test phases — aimed at expanding the X-59’s flight envelope — are expected to push the jet closer to its full supersonic potential.
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