X-51A Scrammissile tested

[+76.IAP-Blackbird]

http://www.spiegel.de/fotostrecke/fotostrecke-55317.html

 

 

ok it`s in german but who cares ...

Edited May 28, 2010 by 76.IAP-Blackbird

[Slartibartfast]

It's thupersonic man...

[Lexx_Luthor]

ith thuperthonic fella/fellatte...

[Lexx_Luthor]

pretty cool pics.

 

How long does it thrust?

[+76.IAP-Blackbird]

200 seconds

[xclusiv8]

200 seconds

 

so its performance is based on the average guy......

[+FastCargo]

All snide comments aside, this is actually pretty significant for a couple of reasons.

 

One, the previous attempt at scramjet propulsion was 12 seconds, which was considered a success. This was almost 20 times longer in duration...a true cruiser vs a quick jolt of thrust.

 

Two, for a technology pusher, a lot of stuff used was cribbed from other systems. The FADEC was from an F-35 F119, the booster was from the ATACMS, and the igniter was from a TF33...from an old C-141. There are more examples all throughout the system. The idea was to minimize new tech risk and increase redundancy (the history of test missile flights are usually only 50% success) to increase the chances of having 4 good flights.

 

Both of these are significant...because it means lots of room for growth in capabilities/range in future versions. If your foundation is solid, adding to it is much easier.

 

If you've ever read up on the challenges of having a successful SCRAMJET engine, you know why this is significant for future transportation and weapon systems.

 

FC

[+76.IAP-Blackbird]

Thx FC, I have read nearly all accesable articles writen in languags I can understand about Ramjet and Scramjet technologie. A very fascinating system and the next stept in aviation, so for me this test was important enough to be posted here.

 

Sorry can`T understand the other comments here

Edited May 30, 2010 by 76.IAP-Blackbird

[+Typhoid]

Thx FC, I have read nearly all accesable articles writen in languags I can understand about Ramjet and Scramjet technologie. A very fascinating system and the next stept in aviation, so for me this test was important enough to be posted here.

 

Sorry can`T understand the other comments here

 

 

they're just being thilly............

 

 

this is an awesome development.

 

of course (sarcasm alert) - we all know that we've really been flying this for years under the Aurora Program. We are just doing this now to get Plausible Demiability....

 

 

[Lexx_Luthor]

Awthum

[serverandenforcer]

Here's a youtube video of the launch...

[+76.IAP-Blackbird]

Damn fast that thing is ... (we need lasersword smileys)