US Military Seeks Hypersonic Weaponry

Dr. Eggman writes "In an interview with the Star-Telegram, the Air Force's chief scientist, Mark Lewis, talks about the USAF's latest research direction. The service is working on hypersonic missile and bombers for the purposes of reconnaissance and attack. In response to Chinese and Russian anti-satellite developments, the Air Force plans to develop weapons capable of sustained travel at Mach 6 to allow them to deploy against and take out anti-satellite launch sites before the enemy can fire their missiles. Furthermore, should the US spy satellite network be brought down, the Mach 6 recon flight systems would be capable of filling in. Air Force officials hope to deploy a new interim bomber by 2018, followed by a more advanced, and possibly unmanned, bomber in 2035." We've discussed on a number of occasions the scramjet technology that would power such vehicles.

Comments

Black Helicopters

[explosivejared]

I don't get it. If the government has a secret database of information on everyone in the world, including enemy personnel, and they have black, stealth helicopters waiting to attack anywhere in the world at a moment's notice, why all the nonsense about hypersonic attack craft?

Re:Black Helicopters

[eln]

Because, there is a government agency called the WCGI (Wicked Cool Gadgets Initiative) which is responsible for developing kickass technology for the military. The charter of this agency is simply to "develop the most awesome, wicked cool gadgets possible". If they can come up with something that sounds really sweet, they'll put money into developing it regardless of whether or not anyone needs it. If the tech is cool enough, the military will find some way to use it.

Re:Black Helicopters

[LoofWaffle]

It would be like poisoning a well that you drink from as well as the enemy.
Which is actually OK if you've developed an immunity to Iocane powder.

I FOR ONE....

[Agent__Smith]

I for one would like to welcome our new HYPERSONIC overlords...

Re:I FOR ONE....

[Dr. Eggman]

Well I don't! He ruins my world-domination schemes enough without going into super form, let alone hyper!

Re:Wasting resources?

[StaticEngine]

Imagine six 9-11's on our [critical] infrastructure.
Wait, do you want me to imagine 5466, or -12?

via the stargazer

[User 956]

In response to Chinese and Russian anti-satellite developments, the Air Force plans to develop weapons capable of sustained travel at Mach 6 to allow them to deploy against and take out anti-satellite launch sites before the enemy can fire their missiles.

Ah yes, the Picard Maneuver.

Personals

[Anonymous Coward]

Hypersonic Weaponry seeks non-smoking government for long distance travel at high speeds. Concern for neighboring governments, a plus. Must be able to handle my (at times) explosive temper. Prefer clear moonlit nights and cozy underground silos. Handle me with tender loving care. 1138

Re:Wasting resources?

[IndustrialComplex]

Imagine six 9-11's

I tried to, but I couldn't figure out what part of the pentagon the 6th would hit.

Re:What a waste

[blincoln]

The world is NOT literally burning under our feet. Is this kind of hysterical hyperbole the best that human beings can do?

You must have missed Lord Dread initiating phase IV of project New Order.

Re:Wasting resources?

[Red Flayer]

Imagine six 9-11's on our [critical] infrastructure.
Wait, do you want me to imagine 5466, or -12?

Wait, what?

What kind of order of operations did the teach where you learned to do algebra?

Clearly he meant 43.

Which, incidentally, is one better than the answer to life, the universe, and everything.

Re:Dead before you SEE it coming

[BobSixtyFour]

What happened to lasers? With those, you get killed at the speed of light.
Now we're only going for a bit faster then the speed of sound?

Someone's losing fucking ground here.

Crucifixion?

[spun]

Crucifixion's a doddle.

Re:TR3

[Moofie]

OK, people have called TR3's many things, but "operational"? Not if the Lucas electrical system has anything to say about it.