Gallery: Boom! NASA Wants to Bring Back Supersonic X-Planes

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    NASA
    01

    735303main-1-x-1-1-in-flight-original-full.jpg

    The Bell X-1, NASA's first "x-plane," was the first aircraft to break the supposed sound barrier (or Mach 1) on Oct. 14, 1947, piloted by Chuck Yeager.
  • Image may contain Transportation Vehicle Aircraft Airplane Jet Animal Bird Flying Warplane Bomber and Flight
    NASA / Bell Aircraft Company
    02

    341234main-ET-128-full.jpg

    In 1956, the Bell X-2 Starbuster broke Mach 3 and flew above 125,000 feet.
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    NACA/NASA Photo
    03

    341291main-E-17348-full.jpg

    Manufactured by the Douglas Aircraft Company, the X-3 was made to investigate the design features suited to sustained supersonic speeds, including the first use of titanium in major airframe components.
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    NASA
    04

    246809main-E-810-full.jpg

    The X-5 was the first plane with a variable swept wing design, so the planes could change position based on the needs of the moment.
  • Image may contain Vehicle Transportation Airplane Aircraft Bomber Warplane and Jet
    NASA
    05

    x-15-in-flight.jpg

    The X-15 took NASA from supersonic to hypersonic, setting unofficial records for speed (Mach 6.7) and altitude 354,200 feet.
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    NASA
    06

    343825main-EC75-4642-full.jpg

    The X-24B was one of a series of planes designed to investigate how spacecraft could handle reentry into Earth's atmosphere.
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    NASA/ Larry Sammons
    07

    344175main-EC90-039-4-full.jpg

    One of the crazier-looking x-planes, the X-29 featured a swept wing design, but with the wings swept forward instead of backward.
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    NASA
    08

    250213main-EC93-41056-1-full.jpg

    The X-31 program tested the idea of using thrust vectoring—directing engine exhaust as a form of steering.
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    NASA/Jim Ross
    09

    X-56A.jpg

    The Lockheed Martin-built X-56A Multi-Utility Technology Testbed (MUTT) is an unmanned aircraft designed to how long, flexible airfoils can better handle wind gusts and turbulence.
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