Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Posted

My take on the Aurora Spyplane, a Liquid fueled rocket plane with a Scramjet for high speed flight.

 

Not sure if it's possible, but I'm going to try to learn how to build a functioning SFP aircraft out of this thing.

 

The mesh is almost complete, so I'm just going to try and stumble around trying to get the damn thing flying.

 

Will probably just be rocket powered at first, and I'll try and make the scramjet work later.

 

-Adam

Posted

You know, after years of believing that this didn't exist, that it was just a codename for cancelled classified UAV known as Tier 3 (that was replaced by Global Hawk), I learned just yesterday it did!

How? I talked with someone who worked on it. :grin: He worked at Tonopah in the 80s, worked with the F-117, the B-2, the captured MiGs, and numerous test planes that never saw the light of day. Now, he didn't say the thing ever flew, but he did say they tested the engine for it on the back of an SR-71.

When I mentioned that many promising programs were killed during the 1st Bush and early Clinton administrations for cost reasons and the feeling that "satellites can do it", he said "Yeah, pretty much."

 

So, I think the bottom line is this plane likely never flew, at least not operationally, but it was in development.

 

Remember those famous pictures in AvWeek of the "shock diamond" contrails? I bet that was the SR-71 w/Aurora engine on its back testing!

Posted (edited)

I'd say somewhere around 50 meters or so. I sized the ejection seats to roughly the same size, and scaled up from the F-16.

 

She's a big girl

 

The cockpit window is very small, but there's plenty of room in there. More like a space capsule than an aircraft.

 

-A

Edited by Klavs81
Posted

OMG! I cant believe my fantasy of fly the SR-90 Aurora is on the horizon! Keep up the good work and I hope you get the flight dynamics right because this thing will be a blast to fly! And I do believe that this aircraft not only flew! But that it still does fly! According to some very reliable sources!

Posted

Another engine was also tested in the same fashion using dynamic compression to hold the flame front and control the exhaust expansion. Simalar to the Aerospike engines that came out of the NASP program. And yet a third confgiuration was also developed. In any case the plan was to use F-100 cores to provide takeoff power and inital igniton to the "Second Stage"cruise portion of the propulsion systems.

Posted

oh wow!!!

 

i thought only ace combat 3 had this plane, and it might not exist in reality....

 

this kite goes mach 6?

 

Talon bites the dust(when this thing flies.... in thirdwire...)

  • 1 year later...
Posted
:biggrin: YES!!! I tried my hand at modeling this but couldnt figure out the whole "movement" thing...mine is gmax format and up here...also I have some three-views and data if anyone wants em...
Posted

Today's myth is tomorrow's reality.

 

Anyone can speculate, cue X-Files theme music...

 

...damn, where did I put my tinfoil hat. You know, the big spiky one!

Posted
Today's myth is tomorrow's reality.

 

Anyone can speculate, cue X-Files theme music...

 

...damn, where did I put my tinfoil hat. You know, the big spiky one!

 

 

I think Madona borrowed it for one of her bras :biggrin:

Posted (edited)

Well, fortoutiously, I noticed my NDA on this one has an expiration date! :biggrin:

 

So I can release this pic. Honestly, I completely forgot about this one, but I imagine it would take fairly little to get it into the engine, it's mostly good to go already.

 

Perhaps I'll use it as a way to try and learn the import process, but I'm still working hard on the 35.

 

Cheers!

Edited by Klavs81
Posted

I heard somewhere that AURORA is not only a recon aircraft. It can make STRIKE mission to. What do Yo think about it?

Posted

havent seen this plane talked about since i was playing Janes Fighters Anthology. they had it in there as a hidden aircraft.

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue..