Lockheed moves towards QueSST PDR

With better fuel efficiency as well..Maybe...Any more development on aerolastic wings?

a reply to: Blackfinger

They're moving along. They still aren't ready for prime time yet.

a reply to: Zaphod58

Sweeeeet..Thing that concerns me is breakdown of components due to use over a long period of time..Wing skins and internals cop a flogging in an aircrafts life..

a reply to: Blackfinger

That's one of the things they're still working on. They've got to do endurance tests that make standard wing fatigue tests look easy.

NASA just announced that the Air Force office that assigns numbers to X planes has designated the QueSST as the X-59. They also let slip that it's currently under construction at Plant 42, in the Skunk Works facility.

a reply to: Zaphod58


We know the X-37b is the Air Force's (+ Boeing) super secret space plane (and looks like a cute little shuttle!).

Now, X-59.

38 - 58 is something like, elevnteen, or some such number. (I know there one designate X-39)

How far along does the craft have to be before being handed an "official Air Force number" designation?

a reply to: TEOTWAWKIAIFF

Only the X-52 was skipped.

They have to get through design review and get cleared to build at least a prototype.

a reply to: Zaphod58


Also, found a list of x-planes on Wikipedia: List of X-planes.

Until then I guess we can call them neat names like "waverider" and "dragon fly". Oh look, Lockheed had one called "manta"!! Lulz! Where is BASS when you need him??! (jk, so prototype, gotcha)

a reply to: Zaphod58
Most have probably seen the design concepts but for those who have not: youtu.be...

youtu.be...

a reply to: TEOTWAWKIAIFF

More like demonstrator. X is used for a demonstrator, Y for a prototype. That's why you see something like the X-35, and YF-35. The X-35 was the demonstrator for the competition. The YF-35 was the altered design that met the military requirements. Even though they're just demonstrators they still have prototypes though, but they won't go into production, as that design.

a reply to: Zaphod58

Galveston will see some tests coming up in November using an Electric Bug:

www.engadget.com...

a reply to: 727Sky

those models are so amazing, such detail and perfectness.

its funny how the aircraft we are seeing come out today are almost identical to things in Macross and Gundam and other science 'fiction' shows.

i saw recently two large aircraft that were perfect triangles that looked almost identical to a NASA wind tunnel model, but that is the only thing i can compare it to..

these models cost a butt load of cash to make and with computer power increasingly available i wonder if we'll ever see them phased out in favor for computer models alone.

a reply to: penroc3

No. Computers can get really really close, but aren't perfect.

Quick update

LM starts production of Quesst at SkunkWorks

Cheers

Robbie

The aircraft will use a 4K monitor for the front windscreen in the cockpit. It still will have side windows for horizon reference, but will use an eXternal Vision System for the front.

www.nasa.gov...

a reply to: Zaphod58

Nice, bit of trouble if there is a short circuit to the display computers.

Well its official when theres a patch done for her..Exciting times for the newer generations when us oldies had the Concorde.

NASA has tested a 30 mile long microphone system in preparation for testing the X-59. The array is known as CarpetDIEM. After validation of the noise levels of the X-59 it will fly over selected communities.

www.nasa.gov...

Depends how she Booms
Weather and atmospherics play a big part in sonic boom movement.