Governor Newsom highlights California innovation with Lockheed Martin Skunk Works’ X-59 named “Coolest Thing Made in California”
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~ SACRAMENTO - California's Governor Gavin Newsom highlighted the state's leadership in advanced manufacturing by recognizing Lockheed Martin Skunk Works' X-59 as the "Coolest Thing Made in California." The announcement was made during the California Manufacturing & Technology Association's "Coolest Thing Made in California" contest, which celebrates the state's world-class manufacturing sector and its role in driving innovation and economic growth.

The X-59, designed by Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, is a supersonic aircraft that aims to eliminate the disruptive sonic boom that has long limited supersonic travel. It was chosen as the winner of the contest after receiving more than 200,000 votes over four rounds of public voting. Other top contenders included Siemen's Amtrak Airo Trainset, Phillips 66's Sustainable Aviation Fuel, and Saildrone's Voyager.

Governor Newsom emphasized the importance of manufacturing to California's economy, stating that it creates good-paying jobs and shapes industries of the future. He also noted that this competition and the X-59 are evidence of California being home to some of the country's top talent and innovation.

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California is a global leader in aerospace and defense, with one-third of the nation's space technology companies located within its borders. The state also employs more aerospace engineers and defense personnel than any other state. Lockheed Martin, a global security and aerospace leader, supports thousands of highly-skilled jobs across multiple facilities dedicated to advanced research, design, manufacturing, and flight testing. Its renowned Skunk Works site in Palmdale is where the X-59 is being developed.

For over a decade, Lockheed Martin Skunk Works has collaborated with NASA to solve one of the most persistent challenges of supersonic flight - the sonic boom. The X-59 will be used to collect community responses to its low-noise sonic "thump," providing NASA with critical data needed to approve new rules for quiet commercial supersonic flight over land. This milestone could open up a new global market for aircraft manufacturers and allow passengers to travel anywhere in the world in half the time it takes today.

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California's manufacturing sector spans several industries, including aerospace & defense, clean tech, high-tech, life sciences, and working lands & water. With over 45,000 manufacturing establishments employing over 1.24 million Californians, the state drives more innovation than anywhere else in the country. In 2024, California exported $155.2 billion worth of manufactured goods, solidifying its position as a global leader in trade.

In addition to highlighting California's manufacturing strength, Governor Newsom also proclaimed October 25th as "Larry Itliong Day" during Filipino-American Heritage Month. He also announced appointments to various positions and deployed California Volunteers and the California National Guard on a humanitarian mission to assist food banks during the ongoing government shutdown that has disrupted critical food benefits for families facing food insecurity.

As California continues to showcase its leadership in innovation and manufacturing excellence, it remains a vital contributor to the global economy and a beacon of progress for other states and countries to follow.

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