| ‘AMIGDALA’ – PLOTTING PATHWAYS TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION

Integrated modelling informs decision-making to transform the european industry

Project received €7 million from the horizon europe research and innovation programme

A European consortium is implementing AMIGDALA, a new Horizon Europe research and innovation project that has kicked off in 2024. The project will explore pathways for the European industry to become not only sustainable, as mandated by the European Green Deal, but also to remain profitable and resilient.

Decisions augmented by model projections
The consortium maps decision-making by governments and by industry. We combine this decision framework with our computer models of economy & trade, industrial production, energy consumption, material flows and land use. This combination provides advanced foresight by projecting pathways of
change from decision-based scenarios.

Regulation and investments in tune
AMIGDALA aims to achieve impact through providing European legislators and industries insights into the interaction between regulatory action and the global industrial investment response. This innovative approach thus drives sustainability while it considers strategic positioning, global competitiveness and resilience.

The consortium
Led by the research center TNO (The Netherlands), the AMIGDALA project is formed by BFI, the Catholic University of Leuven, DECHEMA, Deloitte, ENEA, European Research Services, GreenDecision, IIASA, SITECH, Sustainable Innovations, and VITO.
The AMIGDALA project has been programmed under the Process4Planet partnership and is supported by the European Union.

* Funded by the European Union under the grant agreement 101138534. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HADEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

| THE WORLD’S FIRST AI BROTHEL NOW OPEN IN BERLIN

Clients can enjoy sexual experiences with lifelike dolls and virtual reality instead of human sex workers

“At Cybrothel we believe that part of the future of love and sex lies in virtual reality. We believe the VR experience enables a new level of intimacy and pleasure. We look forward to accompanying you on this journey and sharing this exciting future with you” says Cybrothel’s website.

The sex dolls have their own private rooms in Berlin where patrons can book some time to experience intimacy, sexual play, fantasy and fetish. The atmosphere is soft and futuristic complete with a home cinema, kitchen and bathroom. Patrons do not interact face to face with any humans.

Cybrothel is suggesting the following expériences:

VR – Experience – the first step into a virtual experience: The client uses a VR headset with all currently available VR films and have fun with two love dolls.
VRX – The world’s first mixed reality sex game – The VR game from PolyBay in combination with a love doll merges reality and virtuality.
Quicky – Just two love dolls in love swings and unlimited erotic movies.
For Her – Not only for women, but also for all other genders. VR movies from the female perspective and some exciting toys.

Dolls cost from € 109 an hour to € 169 an hour depending on the condition of the doll.
The VRX MIXED REALITY SEX start at € 290 for one hour.

Audio and visual devices are connected to an external control room where a sex positive and empathetic operator is then able to hear and see the patron (only blindfold or full option), so the pleasure doll can interact in real time. This creates the illusion that the sex doll is ‘alive’ with a special character and personality. The dolls speak different languages.

| NEW RULES TO PROTECT YOUR RIGHTS AND ACTIVITY ONLINE IN THE EU

The EU’s online environment is becoming a safer, fairer and more transparent place since 17 February, when its landmark rulebook, the Digital Services Act, fully came into force. This will see new responsibilities imposed on online platforms who have users in the EU, with the aim of better protecting those users and their rights.

The rules, which had already applied to a number of very large platforms and very large search engines since 2023, will start applying to all platforms and hosting services. This means they will all need to implement a number of different measures to empower users. This includes:

• countering illegal content, goods and services by providing users with the means to flag such illegal activity
• protecting minors, including a complete ban of targeting minors with ads based on profiling or on their personal data
• empowering users with information about advertisements they see, such as why the ads are being shown to them and on who paid for the advertisement
• banning advertisements that target users based on sensitive data, such as political or religious beliefs, sexual preferences, etc.
• make it easier to submit complaints and contact them

To help the Commission monitor and enforce obligations in this new law, responsible authorities will help ensure that platforms play by the rules in every EU country. Together with the Commission, they will form an advisory body to ensure that the rules are applied consistently, and that users across the EU enjoy the same rights.

In addition to online platforms, the Digital Services Act also applies to hosting services (e.g. cloud services or domain name systems, background services which connect users to requested website addresses), as well as to online intermediaries (e.g. internet service providers, or domain). Hosting services and online intermediaries are subject to a subset of obligations under the DSA.

| HIGH VACCINATION COVERAGE KEY AGAINST EXPECTED INCREASE OF MEASLES CASES IN THE EU/EEA

Measles cases are expected to continue increasing in the EU/EEA in the coming months due to sub-optimal vaccination coverage for measles-containing vaccines (MCV) in a number of EU/EEA countries, the high probability of importation from areas experiencing high circulation and the fact that the coming months represent the seasonal peak of the virus.

ECDC (European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control) data shows that in January and early February 2024, the number of EU/EEA countries reporting measles cases has increased. At least seven deaths have been reported from two countries.

Andrea Ammon, ECDC Director said:

“Nobody should die from measles. The increase in cases of measles, a highly contagious, but vaccine-preventable disease, is a stark reminder that all Member States should maximise efforts to achieve and maintain high vaccination coverage for all vaccine-preventable diseases. Vaccines are a safe and effective way to reduce the health burden of infectious diseases and avoid unnecessary loss of life.”

Measles poses a threat to individuals of all age groups, which highlights the importance of maintaining high vaccination coverage across the entire population. The highest potential impact of measles, due to the high morbidity following infection, is for infants too young to be immunised (usually those under the age of 12 months, depending on national schedules). Unvaccinated children under five years old are also at increased risk, as measles can have several complications in this age group. Additionally, other groups such as the immunocompromised are at risk of severe outcomes from measles.

Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Stella Kyriakides added:

 “The rising trend in measles cases across Europe is worrying. This is an extremely contagious disease which can cause serious complications, particularly for children and vulnerable persons. The good news is that it is a disease which is preventable through vaccination and that there are plenty of safe and effective vaccines available in the EU. When we see measles outbreaks, we know there is a gap in vaccinations. I urge everyone to check their vaccination status and parents to make sure their children and young person’s vaccines are up to date. Vaccination protects and saves lives, it is one of our strongest tools against measles and many other infectious diseases.”

Measles spreads very easily, therefore, high vaccination coverage, of 95% or higher of the population vaccinated with two doses of the vaccine, is essential to interrupt transmission in a country or community.

Efforts should be therefore intensified to identify and reach unvaccinated or partially vaccinated populations. Equity in access to immunisation should be ensured, especially for vulnerable populations like migrants, ethnic minorities, and those who live in crowded settings e.g. refugee camps.

High-quality surveillance systems are essential for early detection, response, and control of local measles outbreaks. In addition, enhanced laboratory diagnostic capacity facilitates to track virus genotypes and identify transmission chains.

Raising awareness on the measles situation among health professionals across various specialties is important,   to ensure timely diagnosis, especially in older children and adults.

Efforts should be also made to identify the reasons for low vaccine uptake in communities and implement tailored interventions. These include risk communication and community-based initiatives, including towards underserved population groups.

| NATO’S STEADFAST DEFENDER 2024

An unprecedented Military Exercise to test the Alliance’s defense abilities in Europe

NATO has declared its plan to carry out STEADFAST DEFENDER 2024 in the upcoming months, which is the biggest military exercise in Europe since the Cold War. With almost 90,000 soldiers from all 31 NATO Allies, along with partner Sweden, taking part, the exercise is ready to evaluate and improve NATO’s defensive strategies for strengthening European defences against a similar foe.

The statement made by U.S. Army Gen. Christopher Cavoli, NATO’s senior military commander and leader of U.S. European Command, has received a lot of attention. STEADFAST DEFENDER 2024 aims to offer vital information to enhance NATO’s defence strategies, improve interoperability, efficiency, and resilience. This endeavour seeks to showcase NATO’s dedication to collective defence and convey a strong statement on its preparedness to safeguard all Allies in light of growing threats.

The exercise is strategically situated in multiple important European countries, such as Finland, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. Activities are scheduled to occur until May 31, 2024.

In the beginning stage the emphasis will be on strengthening maritime presence in the Atlantic and Arctic regions. The second stage will involve the utilisation of additional forces in various areas, ranging from the Arctic to the Eastern Flank.

STEADFAST DEFENDER 2024 is a comprehensive exercise that includes operations in several domains such as land, air, sea, cyber, and space. It has been a significant area of concentration for doctrinal development at NATO Allied Command Transformation. It includes sending troops from North America and other areas of the Alliance to Europe. Over the course of several months, a series of intricate operations involving multiple domains will take place over vast distances, resulting in improved collaboration between civilian and military entities and strengthening national and collective resilience.

NATO exercises, particularly of this magnitude, are scheduled well in advance and employ a fictional scenario with the goal of improving the Alliance’s overall defence. Exercises have the double function of improving defensive strategies and discouraging possible aggression from rivals of similar strength.

STEADFAST DEFENDER 2024 represents a significant occasion for NATO, demonstrating the unity, power, and resolve of the transatlantic alliance in response to changing security concerns. Given the ongoing tensions in Eastern Europe, this exercise conveys a clear statement that NATO is ready to protect its members, its principles, and maintain collective security in the Euro-Atlantic region.

| IT’S A FIRST! NATO AWACS ALL-FEMALE AIRCREW COMPLETE SORTIE IN SUPPORT OF ENHANCED VIGILANCE ACTIVITIES

For the first time ever, the NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Force (NAEW&CF) conducted command and control (C2) operations on Friday, Feb. 9, 2024, with an all-female aircrew composition.

The flight was a regular mission sortie for the multinational crew in support of NATO’s enhanced Vigilance Activities (eVA). With the flight NATO AWACS highlights the women working in the Airborne Early Warning community and shines a light on female aviation.

Showcasing the capabilities of the female crew will prove that women are able to perform in traditionally male-dominated occupations in equal capacity

“The purpose of this flight encompassed our operational mission safeguarding NATO’s borders,” said Captain Béatrice, Aircrew Training Squadron Flight Commander. She explained that it is normal for the E-3A AWACS to have women on the flight or serve as maintainers for the aircraft.

“The flight demonstrates that the mission and every position on board the AWACS can be executed by women,” said Captain Ciara, Aircrew Training Squadron Simulator Operations Chief. “Showcasing the capabilities of the female crew will prove that women are able to perform in traditionally male-dominated occupations in equal capacity.”

The flight was organised by the NAEW&CF Women’s Initiative Team (WIT) who aim to champion equality and inclusion and was the first attempt of a crew comprised of female aviators representing various backgrounds highlighting the achievements of women in aviation.

According to the 2020 Summary of the National Reports of NATO Member and Partner Nations, the average percentage of women in the armed forces of the NATO Alliance has more than doubled since 1998. As the Alliance’s mission is to protect its one billion people, NATO believes that women play a vital role in all that is done to build a stronger Alliance that draws on the skills and talents of its diverse population.

“Everyone is unique and brings individual talents to the team, which benefits our operational effectiveness within NATO,” said Technical Sergeant Maddie, 852nd Medical Dental Squadron Laboratory NCO In-Charge. “By recognising strength in diversity, we can unleash its potential and positively impact the culture at NATO.”

Since 2013, gender perspectives have been integrated in NATO defence planning, Strategic Intelligence Requirements, and in its work to counter terrorism. NATO believes every policy, program, or project can affect men and women differently, so understanding these differences can help improve the way work is pursued.

| NATO TO BUY 1,000 PATRIOT MISSILES TO ENHANCE ALLIES’ AIR DEFENCES

A bilateral meeting between Deputy Prime Minister W. Kosiniak-Kamysz and Troels Lund Poulsen, Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Defense of Denmark, took place in Warsaw in order to sign an agreement to strengthen their military cooperation.

Denmark is a member of the Multinational Northeast Corps in Szczecin, Poland. Nearly 400 NATO officers, non-commissioned officers and civilian employees serve in the corps. The Multinational Northeast Corps Command plays the role of the Regional Land Component Command in the NATO force structure and is responsible for the region encompassing the so-called eastern flank.

The heads of the defense ministries discussed the ongoing military cooperation between the two countries and identified directions for its development in terms of joint exercises and training. They discussed the current security situation in the Baltic Sea basin. The “Agreement on cooperation between the Ministry of Defense of the Kingdom of Denmark and the Minister of National Defense of the Republic of Poland in the field of security and defense” was signed.

I was assured today by the Minister of support, of continuity, of cooperation in Szczecin. Thank you very much for that. The Baltic Sea, the protection of critical infrastructure, e.g. Baltic Pipe, the gas port, everything that is extremely important to us today, critical infrastructure, is the spot we need to take special care of. (…) We talked about common priorities. Security definitely has to be a shared priority. (…) The European defense industry must accelerate. It must put all its production forces into action and come out of its lethargy. Come out of a dormant state, a sedate state. As we are in a state of imminent danger. If the war is fought so close to us, this state of imminent danger exist. The entire arms industry in Europe must accelerate, must understand that there is a time of direct danger

– said the head of the Ministry of Defense.

In his statement, Deputy Prime Minister also gave his opinion on cooperation in the European Union format and support for the defending itself Ukraine.

We share one and the same opinion – Europe must get involved, the European Union must get involved in helping Ukraine. One must not become accustomed to war. One must not forget that people are dying every day in Ukraine, that they are fighting there for peace, for freedom, for normality, for democracy, for Ukraine to be an independent state. But also for the rest of Europe to be safe. (…) We will support Ukraine bilaterally. We appreciate what Denmark has been doing. The decision to transfer of F-16 aircraft, the multi-billion dollar commitment to military aid Ukraine that Denmark is implementing is extremely valuable to us as a neighbor of Ukraine

– stressed Deputy Prime Minister W. Kosiniak-Kamysz.

| PROJECT 406 THE LARGEST, AND MOST LUXURIOUS AND INDIVIDUAL TRUE SPORTFISH YACHT IN THE WORLD

The ground-breaking big fisher, Royal Huisman’s Project 406, is in transit from the shipyard’s inland new-build facilities in Vollenhove, gearing up for the anticipated final stage – her launch in Amsterdam. The powerful hull of this unique vessel measures 52m / 171ft overall and her towering profile accommodates six decks. These remarkable features not only make her the largest, but also the most luxurious and individual true sportfish yacht in the world: the ultimate expression of personal freedom.

Project 406 is designed for an experienced owner who is passionate about fishing. She is a unique vessel in so many respects. Vripack Yacht Design is responsible for the exterior and interior design and naval architecture of this highly prestigious project. Her design is extremely distinctive, with a long bow and high bulwarks sweeping through a clear sheer to a low and uncluttered cockpit aft.

The high tower offers outstanding views with a downward angle on the water for specialized fishing. Apart from its practical function, the tower also offers a superb viewing platform for guests, who can follow all the action below. Project 406 effortlessly blends the ultimate sports fishing experience with genuine superyacht scale, comfort and refinement.

Not only is she the largest but, without doubt, the most bespoke, finely appointed, meticulously engineered and most impressive true sportfish yacht anywhere in the world. Project 406 is immaculately and extensively designed and engineered and efficiently built by the shipyard team of over 350 individual experts and highly qualified co-makers. Royal Huisman is viewed to be the only shipyard in the world capable of delivering such an individual, innovative and bespoke motoryacht project.

| THE FIRST AND ONLY STERILE AT-HOME INSEMINATION KIT, AWARDED FDA CLEARANCE

Following Her Own Infertility Diagnosis, Dr. Jennifer Hintzsche, Ph.D., Invented and Patented the First and Only Sterile, Over-the-Counter Fertility Treatment, the Now FDA-Cleared Intravaginal Insemination Device that Conceived Her Daughter

PherDal Fertility Science, Inc., creators of the first and only sterile, at-home insemination kit, is now accepting pre-orders of its intravaginal insemination (IVI) device, following FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) class II clearance. The PherDal Kit is the first and only to combine the sterile environment of the fertility clinic with the at-home capabilities of insemination.

Each PherDal Kit includes three (3) sterile syringes and three (3) sterile collection cups to make at-home insemination as sterile, safe and accessible as possible. Unique to the PherDal Kit, the sterile syringe is intentionally designed to deliver sperm at the opening of the cervix, while bypassing bacterial or anatomical interference, which studies have linked to infertility.

PherDal is bridging the gap between traditional conception and more invasive options with a sterile at-home insemination option for individuals who have been unable to conceive through intercourse or have chosen not to conceive through intercourse.

The PherDal kits, which are 100% made in the USA, are currently available at pherdal.com for $199.  Customers do not need a prescription to purchase.

| MORE THAN 50 YEARS AFTER THEFT, STOLEN JOHN OPIE PAINTING RECOVERED AND RETURNED TO RIGHTFUL OWNER

An original John Opie painting believed to have been stolen by mobsters in July 1969 has been returned to its rightful owner after a two-year investigation by the FBI’s Salt Lake City Field Office.

FBI Special Agent Gary France presented the painting, titled “The Schoolmistress”, to Dr. Francis Wood, 96, at his home in Newark, New Jersey, after a judge in the Fifth Judicial District Court for Washington County, Utah, resolved the question of ownership. The piece, painted circa 1784, is oil on canvas and approximately 40 inches by 50 inches. This recovered original Opie painting has a sister painting housed in the Tate Britain art gallery in London

The FBI was contacted in December 2021 by a Washington County, Utah, accounting firm acting as a trustee for a client who died in 2020. The client had hired the firm to liquidate his residences and personal property. While appraising the painting for auction, it was discovered to likely be an original Opie stolen in 1969 from a private residence of the Wood family in New Jersey.

Wood’s father, Dr. Earl Leroy Wood, purchased the painting during the Great Depression in the 1930s for $7,500.

According to court documents, on July 25, 1969, three men, identified as Gerald Festa, Gerald Donnerstag, and Austin Costiglione broke into Dr. Wood’s home and stole the Opie painting..

It is believed that law enforcement pressure resulted in the painting’s transfer to another mobster. The painting’s location between 1969 and the late 1980s is unknown but the FBI believes it remained in the hands of organized crime members.

Twenty years later, in 1989, the Utah accounting firm’s deceased client purchased a home in Hallandale, Florida from convicted mobster, Joseph Covello, Sr. The Opie painting was included in the sale of the home without the client’s knowledge of its identity or history. The client eventually sold his Florida home and moved the painting to St. George, Utah, where it remained until his death in 2020.

“It was an honor playing a role in recovering a significant piece of art and culture, and reuniting a family with its stolen heritage,” Special Agent France said. “In a world where criminal investigations often leave scars, it was a rare joy to be a part of a win-win case: a triumph for history, justice, and the Wood family.”

| MIGALOO’S  $2 BILLION CUSTOMIZABLE SUPERYACHT M5 CAN PLUNGE UNDERWATER AND BECOME A SUBMARINE

The name MIGALOO is the Aborigini-based name of an albino humpback whale often seen around Australian waters. As MIGALOO’s Submersible Superyachts should be painted in bright white to contrast from conventional submarines, the Albino-analogy is quite appropriate.

Migaloo is a well-known brand associated with luxury superyachts, particularly the Migaloo Submarine Yacht series. The Migaloo Submarine Yacht is designed to combine the luxury of a superyacht with the capability to submerge and operate underwater.

The Migaloo Submarine Yacht series includes various models, such as the “Migaloo M2” and “Migaloo M5.” These yachts are typically characterized by their sleek and modern design, high-end amenities, and the unique feature of being able to transform into a submarine for underwater exploration.

The most distinctive feature of the Migaloo Submarine Yacht is its ability to submerge, allowing passengers to experience underwater environments.

These yachts are designed to offer opulent living spaces, featuring state-of-the-art technology, spacious cabins, entertainment systems, and other luxurious amenities.

Migaloo Yachts based in Graz, Austria, are customizable to meet the specific preferences and requirements of the owner. This may include the interior layout, decor, and additional features.

Length overall: 165.8 m
Beam: 23.0 m
Draft: 8.6 m
Range: approx. 15.000 km
Submerged duration: approx. 4 weeks
Depth: approx. 250 m
Owner & Guests: e.g. 14-20, acc. to the Owners preferences
Crew & Staff: e.g. 32-40
Double Hull Construction with several Pressure Hulls
2 Midget Submarines –  accessible from the Main Pressure Hull
Personal Safety Equipment for Guests and Crew such as Submarine Escape Immersion Equipment (SEIE)
Aft Deck Helipad (D-Value 13 m) and Helicopter Hangar in dedicated Pressure Hull
Propulsion: Diesel Electric & AIP
Speed: 20 knots surfaced, 12 knots submerged

Surface Tender:
e.g. 12.5 m Custom Compass Enclosed Limousine Tender, e.g. 10.5 m Compass Beach Landing Craft, e.g. 6.8 m Pascoe Jet Drive RHIB Work Tender
Submarine Tender & Underwater Exploration:
2 Custom Midget-Submarines (MIGALOO LST – Limo Sub Tender and/or Exploration Sub Tender, length: 17 m), 2 Submersibles, several ROVs and UUVs

Air Tender:
1x Helicopter (e.g Bell 407 or Bell 429), Drones, Hot-Air Balloon

Land Tender:
2x Expedition Vehicles or SUVs or Trucks/Pick-Up

| VOLKSWAGEN INTEGRATES CHATGPT INTO ITS VEHICLES

At CES 2024, the world’s leading electronics trade fair, Volkswagen introduced the first vehicles in which the artificial-intelligence-based chatbot ChatGPT is integrated into its IDA voice assistant.

In future, customers will have seamless access to the constantly growing artificial intelligence database in all Volkswagen models equipped with the IDA voice assistant and have researched content read out to them while driving. Cerence Chat Pro from technology partner Cerence Inc. is the foundation of the new function, which offers a uniquely intelligent, automotive-grade ChatGPT integration. Volkswagen will be the first volume manufacturer to offer Chat GPT as a standard feature from the second quarter of 2024 in many production vehicles..

The new chatbot is offered in conjunction with the latest generation of infotainment in the following models: ID.7, ID.4, ID.5, ID.3, the all-new Tiguan and the all-new Passat, as well as in the new Golf

. Enabled by Cerence Chat Pro, the integration of ChatGPT into the backend of the Volkswagen voice assistant offers a multitude of new capabilities that go far beyond the previous voice control. For example, the IDA voice assistant can be used to control the infotainment, navigation, and air conditioning, or to answer general knowledge questions. In the future, AI will provide additional information in response to questions that go beyond this as part of its continuously expanding capabilities. This can be helpful on many levels during a car journey: Enriching conversations, clearing up questions, interacting in intuitive language, receiving vehicle-specific information, and much more – purely hands-free.

Nothing changes for the person behind the wheel. There is no need to create a new account, install a new app or activate ChatGPT: The voice assistant is activated by saying “Hello IDA” or pressing the button on the steering wheel. IDA automatically prioritises whether a vehicle function should be executed, a destination searched or the temperature adjusted. If the request cannot be answered by the Volkswagen system, it is forwarded anonymously to AI and the familiar Volkswagen voice responds.

| NASA, LOCKHEED MARTIN REVEAL X-59 QUIET SUPERSONIC AIRCRAFT

NASA and Lockheed Martin have formally debuted the agency’s X-59 quiet supersonic aircraft. Using this one-of-a-kind experimental airplane, NASA aims to gather data that could revolutionize air travel, paving the way for a new generation of commercial aircraft that can travel faster than the speed of sound.

“This is a major accomplishment made possible only through the hard work and ingenuity from NASA and the entire X-59 team,” said NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy. “In just a few short years we’ve gone from an ambitious concept to reality. NASA’s X-59 will help change the way we travel, bringing us closer together in much less time.”

The X-59 is at the center of NASA’s Quesst mission, which focuses on providing data to help regulators reconsider rules that prohibit commercial supersonic flight over land. For 50 years, the U.S. and other nations have prohibited such flights because of the disturbance caused by loud, startling sonic booms on the communities below. The X-59 is expected to fly at 1.4 times the speed of sound, or 925 mph. Its design, shaping and technologies will allow the aircraft to achieve these speeds while generating a quieter sonic thump.

With rollout complete, the Quesst team will shift to its next steps in preparation for first flight: integrated systems testing, engine runs, and taxi testing for the X-59.

Once NASA completes flight tests, the agency will fly the aircraft over several to-be-selected cities across the U.S., collecting input about the sound the X-59 generates and how people perceive it. NASA will provide that data to the Federal Aviation Administration and international regulators.

The X-59 is a unique experimental airplane, not a prototype – its technologies are meant to inform future generations of quiet supersonic aircraft.

At 99.7 feet long and 29.5 feet wide, the aircraft’s shape and the technological advancements it houses will make quiet supersonic flight possible. The X-59’s thin, tapered nose accounts for almost a third of its length and will break up the shock waves that would ordinarily result in a supersonic aircraft causing a sonic boom.

Due to this configuration, the cockpit is located almost halfway down the length of the aircraft – and does not have a forward-facing window. Instead, the Quesst team developed the eXternal Vision System, a series of high-resolution cameras feeding a 4K monitor in the cockpit.