NASA’s quiet supersonic X-59 research aircraft has completed electromagnetic testing, confirming its systems work together safely without interference. The tests, conducted at Lockheed Martin Skunk Works’ facility in California, ensured that the aircraft’s onboard systems do not interfere with each other or cause unexpected problems.
Electromagnetic interference occurs when an electric or magnetic field source affects an aircraft’s operations, potentially impacting safety. To mitigate this issue, NASA activated each system on the X-59 one at a time while monitoring for possible interference. This testing, known as a source-victim test, helped determine whether the systems within the X-59 are interfering with each other.
The X-59 is designed to generate a quieter thump rather than a loud boom while flying faster than the speed of sound. It’s part of NASA’s Quest mission, which aims to provide regulators with information that could help lift current bans on commercial supersonic flight over land. Ground tests have already been completed, including engine tests, and the electromagnetic interference testing has confirmed the aircraft’s systems are compatible.
To assess electromagnetic compatibility, researchers staged the X-59 near NASA’s F-15D, 47 feet apart, then 500 feet apart. They powered up the X-59’s engine while turning on the F-15D’s radar, C-band radar transponder, and radios. Data from the X-59 was transmitted to NASA’s Mobile Operations Facility, where staff monitored for anomalies.
With electromagnetic testing complete, the X-59 is now ready to move on to aluminum bird tests and taxi tests before flight. This progress marks a major milestone in the aircraft’s development and brings the team closer to its first flight.
Source: https://www.nasa.gov/centers-and-facilities/armstrong/nasas-x-59-completes-electromagnetic-testing