As you surely know, since this is not the first time we have talked about this topic in ActualidadGadgetAt NASA we not only work on the development of projects related to space exploration, but they also have other types of research underway in many other fields with which they seek, for example, and as is the case that brings us together, create a commercial supersonic aircraft very different from everything we know, especially thanks to its ability to soar through the skies silently.
In advance, let me tell you that this new type of supersonic plane that has been proposed by the United States Space Agency to the entire community has a very special peculiarity and that is that it will literally be designed, built and tested by the experts at Lockheed Martin aviation and military company, one of the most active companies in this sector and with the greatest reputation thanks to the great advances made by its engineers over the years.
Why has NASA entrusted a project like this to a company like Lockheed Martin?
To understand a little better precisely the fact that in NASA have signed a contract valued at almost 250 million dollars with Lockheed Martin For the latter to design, manufacture and test a new concept of silent supersonic aircraft, we have to talk about the research carried out by it regarding the system Quiet Supersonic Technology.
Considering the little data that have transpired on this research, it seems that Lockheed Martin engineers have been able to develop a system that would allow airplanes to reach supersonic speeds without, for this, the great noise called as'Sonic Boom', which occurs when an aircraft reaches and exceeds the speed of sound. Instead of the 'Sonic Boom' the aircraft would produce what is known as 'Low Boom', a much lower sound.
Returning to NASA's new silent supersonic aircraft, apparently this device, which once designed and manufactured would join the list of projects carried out by NASA's X-Plane division, should be capable of reach an altitude of 18.000 meters high flying at a speed of about 1.500 kilometers per hour. Undoubtedly more than interesting data, although, as the title of this entry says, perhaps the most interesting thing is the fact that, once the sound speed is exceeded, a noise would be emitted that should remain in the 75 decibels which is the sound of a car door closing.
NASA expects this new supersonic plane to be ready by 2025
One of the obligations that Lockheed Martin has committed to is to have the new aircraft model ready by the end of 2021 so that the first field tests can start in 2023. Thanks to these tests, the plane will begin to fly through the skies over some American cities, and in 2025 it will begin to fly over urban towns and rural towns.
Thanks to these test flights, NASA will be able to create a huge database with enough information to begin advise manufacturers and engineers around the world on how they should go about making much quieter aircraft.
As a final detail, tell you that this is not the only project that NASA is carrying out today related to the development of a new generation of supersonic aircraft. On the other hand, we cannot fail to mention another class of projects that little by little are becoming known and that, in turn, are attracting enormous attention to everyone, such as the company's boom, same that has been financed with capital from Virgin Group and Japan Airlines or the one that is developing, for example, Aerion, a project that seeks to create a commercial supersonic aircraft very focused on the business market and very wealthy people.