Page 2 - Aerotech News and Review, October 1, 2021

X-59 nose makes an appearance Reader’s

by Tiernan Doyle
NASA Armstrong Services
The X-59 Quiet SuperSonic Technology (QueSST) How to contact
aircraft is taking shape at the Lockheed Martin Skunk Aerotech News and Review
Works facility in Palmdale, Calif. The team positioned • E-Mail: editor@aerotechnews.com
the X-59 QueSST’s nose at the front of the aircraft. As • Phone: (661) 945-5634
one of the more recognizable features of the X-59, the • Fax: (661) 723-7757
nose makes up almost a third of the aircraft length and • Website: www.aerotechnews.com
will be essential in shaping shock waves during su-
personic flight, resulting in quiet sonic thumps instead
of loud sonic booms. The nose was attached and then Advertising
removed from the front of the aircraft in preparation Corporate Headquarters:
for its shipment to Fort Worth, Texas where it will un- (877) 247-9288
dergo additional testing. The X-59 will fly at supersonic Email: sbueltel@aerotechnews.com
speeds above communities as part of the Low-Boom
Flight Demonstration mission, during which NASA Subscriber Services
will gather community feedback to the sound of quiet Subscriptions to Aerotech News
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Lockheed Martin photograph
LANCER, from 1 Web Site
totypes of this long-range, high speed (Mach Access the Aerotech News web
site at www.aerotechnews.com
2.2) strategic bomber were developed and tested
in the mid-1970s, but the program was canceled Submissions for upcoming events, air
in 1977 before going into production. Flight shows and museums
testing continued through 1981. should be emailed to
The B-1B is an improved variant initiated editor@aerotechnews.com.
by the Reagan administration in 1981. Major For questions concerning the web site,
changes included and additional structure to in- contact the webmaster at
crease payload by 74,000 pounds, an improved webmaster@aerotechnews.com.
radar and reduction of the radar cross section
by an order of magnitude. The inlet was exten-
sively modified as part of this RCS reduction, Where you can get
necessitating a reduction in maximum speed to Aerotech News and Review
Mach 1.2.
The first production B-1 flew in October For information on
1984, and the first B-1B was delivered to Dyess Aerotech distribution, call
Air Force Base, Texas, in June 1985. Initial op- (661) 945-5634 or visit
erational capability was achieved on Oct. 1, www.aerotechnews.com/distribution.
1986. The final B-1B was delivered May 2,
1988. Air Force photograph by Katherine Franco
The United States eliminated the nuclear mis- Aerotech News and Review is published
sion for the B-1 in 1994. Even though the Air Ground crews prepare a B-1B Lancer, tail number 85-0074, for its final flight out of Edwards Air every other Friday, serving the
Force Base, Calif., Sept. 23, 2021.
Force expended no further funding to maintain aerospace and defense industry of
nuclear capabilities, the B-1 was still considered Southern California, Nevada and
a heavy bomber equipped for nuclear armament that conversion possible, two steps were taken: Missile pylons. Arizona. News and ad copy deadline
until 2007. The conversion to conventional only During the first step a metal cylindrical sleeve During the second step two nuclear arma- is noon on the Tuesday prior to
began in November 2007 under the original was welded into the aft attachment point of ment-unique cable connectors in each of the B-1 publication. The publisher assumes no
START treaty and was completed in March each set of B-1 pylon attachments. This pre- weapons bays were removed. This prevented the responsibility for error in ads other
2011 under the New START treaty. To make vented installing B-1 Air Launched Cruise pre-arm signal from reaching the weapons. than space used. Your comments are
welcomed and encouraged. Write to
A B-1B Lancer, tail number 85- the address below.
0074, taxis at Edwards Air Force
Base, Calif., Sept. 23., 2021, for
its final flight.
• Publisher ....................Paul Kinison
• Business Manager ....... Lisa Kinison
• Editor .................... Stuart Ibberson
• National Advertising
Manager .....................Paul Kinison

Aerotech News and Review
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Air Force photograph by Clay Cupit

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