Reaction Motors, Inc., a pioneer manufacturer of liquid-fueled rocket engines, designed, produced, and tested the XLR-11 rocket engine here. That engine ultimately powered the first aircraft flight to break the sound barrier when, on October 14, 1947, Air Force Captain and test pilot Charles (Chuck) Yeager flew the Bell X-1 rocket aircraft GLAMOROUS GLENNIS at MACH 1 speed. This event served as a precursor to the nation's future space program.