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F-15 Chasing X-59 Aircraft at Supersonic Speeds Will Be a Sight for the Ages

NASA is hard at work trying to bring back supersonic passenger aircraft, but this time with a twist that could allow these winged machines to go above the speed of sound over populated areas. X-59, or QueSST, is how NASA calls the aircraft it will be using to test its theories, and 2024 is when we are to expect seeing (and hearing) it in the skies over our cities.
NASA to chase its own supersonic aircraft to gather data 12 photos
Photo: NASA
NASA testing ways to measure X-59 flights using a chase airplaneNASA testing ways to measure X-59 flights using a chase airplaneNASA testing ways to measure X-59 flights using a chase airplaneNASA testing ways to measure X-59 flights using a chase airplaneNASA testing ways to measure X-59 flights using a chase airplaneNASA testing ways to measure X-59 flights using a chase airplaneNASA testing ways to measure X-59 flights using a chase airplaneNASA testing ways to measure X-59 flights using a chase airplaneNASA testing ways to measure X-59 flights using a chase airplaneNASA testing ways to measure X-59 flights using a chase airplaneNASA testing ways to measure X-59 flights using a chase airplane
The latest news from the X-59 front comes in the form of ALIGNS. That is short for Airborne Location Integrating Geospatial Navigation System, and it’s a tool that will allow NASA to perfectly position a chase aircraft behind the X-59 to measure and visualize the sound waves it creates.

ALIGNS consists of software, a shock-sensing probe, and a special camera system. During the upcoming acoustic validation flights of the X-59, it will be installed on an F-15 to help it precisely coordinate its moves while flying at supersonic speeds behind its target.

The system will send directional cues to the F-15 pilot’s display (horizontal, vertical, fore, and aft offsets) to allow him to position the chase airplane in and out of the shock waves at exact distances.

NASA just announced it completed the first in-flight tests of ALIGNS (check the video below for more) but says the system is still in need of more tweaking before being declared ready.

The X-59 is supposed to validate the technologies needed to make a supersonic aircraft quiet enough to be used over populated areas without breaking the law and annoying people. Its special design, with no windows, not even for the pilot, will make for an impressive sight in itself, but now that we know a chase airplane will be right behind it going insanely fast makes us even more eager to see the whole thing unfold.

Sadly, no exact date for the first flight is known.

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About the author: Daniel Patrascu
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Daniel loves writing (or so he claims), and he uses this skill to offer readers a "behind the scenes" look at the automotive industry. He also enjoys talking about space exploration and robots, because in his view the only way forward for humanity is away from this planet, in metal bodies.
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