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| NASA / Christopher LC Clark |
California, January 18 - NASA is advancing its groundbreaking Quest mission by integrating two retired U.S. Air Force F-15 fighter jets into its flight research fleet at the Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. These aircraft, transferred from the Oregon Air National Guard’s 173rd Fighter Wing and arriving on December 22, 2025, will play a crucial role in supporting the development and testing of the X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft. Designed to demonstrate silent supersonic flight, the X-59 aims to replace disruptive sonic booms with a gentle sonic thump, potentially paving the way for efficient commercial supersonic travel over land.
The X-59, the centerpiece of NASA's Low Boom Flight Demonstrator project, cruises at 55,000 feet and Mach 1.4, requiring chase planes and data collection platforms capable of matching its high-altitude, high-speed envelope. NASA already operates two modified F-15s that enable safe pilot operations up to 60,000 feet through enhanced life support systems. The newly acquired F-15s will undergo similar modifications, including upgrades to ensure reliable performance in extreme conditions. One aircraft will be reactivated as an active research platform, while the second will serve as a source of parts for long-term fleet sustainment.
These F-15s provide essential chase plane capabilities, allowing close monitoring of the X-59 during critical flight tests, safety oversight, and real-time data gathering on shock waves. They can carry specialized instrumentation externally under the wings or fuselage, making them ideal for collecting precise pressure measurements and validating the X-59's low-boom design. Such support is vital for the Quesst mission's phases, including envelope expansion, acoustic validation, and eventual community overflights to assess public response to the quieter sonic signature.
By bolstering its supersonic flight research infrastructure, NASA ensures robust data collection throughout the X-59 program. This strategic addition positions the agency to achieve key milestones in quiet supersonic technology while fostering future partnerships in advanced aeronautics. The enhanced F-15 fleet underscores a commitment to innovative solutions that could revolutionize air travel by making silent supersonic flight a viable reality.
