NASA's supersonic "near-silent" passenger jet expected to debut in 2020

▲ NASA is conducting silent aircraft tests (Photo / NASA)

By Rita

Residents living near airports or commuting along aircraft takeoff and landing routes often suffer from aircraft noise. This nuisance may soon be alleviated, as the United States has begun testing technologies for silent aircraft, which could significantly reduce noise during takeoffs and landings in the future.

According to Lonely Planet, NASA is collaborating with Lockheed Martin to conduct technical tests in preparation for a silent supersonic passenger jet. Although supersonic aircraft have existed before, the current mission, QueSST, aims to achieve a further breakthrough in noise reduction — specifically, to make the aircraft "so quiet that people on the ground won’t even notice it."

A program manager at Lockheed Martin stated that the goal of this project is to drastically reduce the noise of supersonic jets through unique design. The QueSST employs an innovative aircraft design, differing from traditional fuselage and wing structures, while also reducing fuel consumption, emissions, and noise.