Pourquoi la NASA a construit l’avion le plus bizarre du monde
NASA has invested $250 million in the X-59, an unconventional aircraft designed to revive a multi-billion dollar global market by making supersonic flight quieter. This unique plane will not carry passengers but serves as a flying laboratory.
The X-59 features several peculiar design elements. Its nose, for instance, extends over 10 meters, making up a third of the aircraft's total length. This elongated, slender design is crucial for achieving super-silent flight, not merely for aesthetics. Another unusual characteristic is the absence of a traditional windshield. Instead, the cockpit is equipped with a 4K screen displaying images from external HD cameras, effectively allowing the pilot to see through a "vision external system." This innovative solution is necessary because the long nose obstructs the forward view, yet its shape is vital for reducing the intensity of the supersonic boom.
