NASA reports that its experimental X-59 “quiet supersonic” jet broke the sound barrier for the first time on June 5, 2026. The aircraft, designed to reduce the loud sonic boom associated with supersonic flight, reached supersonic speeds during the test at Edwards Air Force Base in California. NASA says test pilot Jim “Clue” Less took off and landed at Edwards, with the flight lasting about 81 minutes. Multiple outlets report that the jet reached roughly Mach 1.1, with one outlet also describing preparation flights that achieved higher speeds before the debut supersonic run.
In the run-up to this milestone, NASA conducted earlier test flights that pushed the X-59 toward near-supersonic conditions. Coverage also notes that the program aims to demonstrate a quieter “thump” rather than a traditional sonic boom. After achieving the first supersonic breakthrough, NASA’s next steps include using subsequent flights to refine performance and eventually conduct demonstrations over U.S. communities later this year, using community feedback to support the potential return of supersonic passenger travel over populated areas.
