Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works has began manufacturing the first part for the X-59 Quiet Supersonic Technology aircraft.

Peter Iosifidis, Low Boom Flight Demonstrator programme manager at Skunk Works (www.lockheedmartin.com), said: “The start of manufacturing on the project marks a great leap forward for the X-59 and the future of quiet supersonic commercial travel.

"The long slender design of the aircraft is the key to achieving a low sonic boom.

"As we enter into the manufacturing phase, the aircraft structure begins to take shape, bringing us one step closer to enabling supersonic travel for passengers around the world.”

Earlier this year, NASA selected Lockheed Martin to design, build and flight-test the Low Boom Flight Demonstrator; the first flight is scheduled for 2021.

It will be used to collect community response data on the acceptability of the quiet sonic boom generated by the aircraft, helping NASA establish an acceptable commercial supersonic noise standard to overturn current regulations banning supersonic travel over land.

The X-59 is designed to cruise at 55,000ft at a speed of around 940mph, creating a sound about as loud as a car door closing — 75 Perceived Level decibel (PldB) — instead of a sonic boom.