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NASA Tests Hypersonic Blackswift

dijkstra writes "Blackswift was previously rumored to be a super secret hypersonic scramjet-based aircraft co-named HTV-3X, essentially a 21st century version of the SR-71. Today NASA has unveiled the real Blackswift (video link), which uses pulse detonation engines (PDEs). A PDE is essentially a modern version of the old V-1 buzz bomb engine. This engine requires significantly fewer moving parts and achieves much higher efficiency than a turbofan, and is technically able to go hypersonic without any kind of 'dual-stage' engine."

34 of 487 comments (clear)

  1. Don't use science talk by jasontheking · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'd prefer to stay stupid. Thanks.

  2. Re:I feel dirty by vectorian798 · · Score: 5, Funny

    I logged in for the first time in forever to post exactly that lol...

  3. Re:I feel dirty by QuantumG · · Score: 4, Funny

    No, they're dumb. Fox News was unable to find people who could act dumb, so now they just hire people who really, (really, really) are dumb.

    --
    How we know is more important than what we know.
  4. Here's the science free explanation! by TheMiddleRoad · · Score: 5, Funny

    Jesus built this hot rod.

    1. Re:Here's the science free explanation! by thermian · · Score: 3, Funny

      what worries is is how are they going to get tests to compare its performance with the V-1?

      I live near London you see...

      --
      A learning experience is one of those things that say, 'You know that thing you just did? Don't do that.' - D. Adams
  5. this is AWESOME by Profane+MuthaFucka · · Score: 5, Funny

    The AIR FORCE is conStructing this HYPER sonic jet exploder thingy, with the help of JESUS, in order to fly at 10 times the speed of sound over countries where POOR people who HATE us live, in order to deliver with very high efficiency SWEETS and other confections which they need to live. They'll drop right out of the bom...CANDY bar bay. The Pentagon calls this the SNICKER candy bomb. At least they were snickering when they told the story to Fox News. Praise the lord

    "Why yes, I HAVE been watching Fox news lately. How can you tell?"

    --
    Fascism trolls keeping me up every night. When I starts a preachin', he HITS ME WITH HIS REICH!
  6. Re:I feel dirty by ToraX242 · · Score: 5, Funny

    NO, I don't want to punch him in the face. I want to watch it again and again. My favorite part is:
    "How does a human beein stand that at six times the speed of sound?"
    I believe the right answer to that question would've been: "Well it is bearable but you need to speak veeeery slooooowly or people sitting next to you can not understand what you say."

  7. American news? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    My favorite part was how the news anchor was so aggressively stupid that my brain pulled itself out of my head and strangled itself with my ears. Good gods, is this what American "news" is like?

  8. Re:I feel dirty by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    I like the incredulous question "So you can take off, fly and six times the speed of sound, then come home?"

  9. Re:I feel dirty by gadget+junkie · · Score: 5, Funny

    No, they're dumb. Fox News was unable to find people who could act dumb, so now they just hire people who really, (really, really) are dumb.



    From my extensive corporate background, I can tell you that if somebody that has been hired acts dumb, he's usually dumber than he seems; all a matter of cost efficiency, a smart guy acting dumb would cost between twice and three times as much, and you'd risk him saying clever things once in a while anyway.

    --
    "If a boss demands loyalty, give him integrity. But if he demands integrity, give him loyalty." (John Boyd, 1927-1997)
  10. Re:I feel dirty by gadget+junkie · · Score: 2, Funny

    NO, I don't want to punch him in the face. I want to watch it again and again. My favorite part is: "How does a human beein stand that at six times the speed of sound?" I believe the right answer to that question would've been: "Well it is bearable but you need to speak veeeery slooooowly or people sitting next to you can not understand what you say."



    you forgot to say that if you are facing backwards, it's the other way around!!

    --
    "If a boss demands loyalty, give him integrity. But if he demands integrity, give him loyalty." (John Boyd, 1927-1997)
  11. Re:fewer uses of less by ratbag · · Score: 4, Funny

    Maybe the parts really are moving less. Or we are less moved by them.

  12. SNL Harry Caray moment by joetheappleguy · · Score: 2, Funny

    Right after the FOX talking head asked "How much would this cost?" I seriously expected him to ask the NASA guy if he would eat the plane if it was made of barbecue spare ribs.

  13. Re:Awful by freedom_india · · Score: 5, Funny

    Mach? What does that mean?

    It refers to Gillete MACH 3 Shaving System to shave your #@$$%

    --
    "Doing what i can, with what i have." ~ Burt Gummer
  14. Re:Awful by EvilMonkeySlayer · · Score: 4, Funny

    It's not news, it's Fox.

  15. Re:I feel dirty by amRadioHed · · Score: 4, Funny

    My favorite part was "Check that out! You see that go off the runway? It was gone."

    Yes, what an amazing new technology that allows planes to get off the runway. Computer animated planes, no less!

    --
    We hope your rules and wisdom choke you / Now we are one in everlasting peace
  16. Re:amusing or offensive? by Patrik_AKA_RedX · · Score: 3, Funny

    Someday they will be put in a wall, no make up, no lights, no power ranger sets.. plain old soviet Russian wall >First plane to the face and make them ONE BY ONE admit that they have been deceiving and misinforming the people, and they have to apologize and leave for ever.

    I thought the idea was to put them against the wall and then shoot them. But sealing them inside a wall and then flying a plane against it might work too. However I don't think they will be doing much apoligizing afterwarts.
    In conclusion: I like your plan, but I suggest letting them apoligize first.

  17. Hope the pilots have a good dental plan... by jpellino · · Score: 3, Funny

    pulse engines will rattle them loose fer sure.

    --
    "Win treats sysadmins better than users. Mac treats users better than sysadmins. Linux treats everyone like sysadmins."
  18. Doesn't burn fuel, it explodes it!? by argent · · Score: 5, Funny

    What, you mean like in your car's engine?

    (yes, I know what a pulse jet is, I'm making fun of Fox News)

    1. Re:Doesn't burn fuel, it explodes it!? by Minwee · · Score: 2, Funny

      Hey hey... speak in English, not that science talk!

  19. Re:I feel dirty by MrKaos · · Score: 5, Funny

    a smart guy acting dumb would cost between twice and three times as much, and you'd risk him saying clever things once in a while anyway.

    W.

    --
    My ism, it's full of beliefs.
  20. Re:Slick reporting by Muad'Dave · · Score: 3, Funny
    That 'reporter' always reminds me of Jim Carrey, so I expected him to say, "Whoa, dude! Like, wouldn't your heart explode or something at 10,000 mph?"


    He reminds me of Carrey so much that I expect his face to stretch like in 'The Mask', or 'Bruce Almighty' hijinks to break out on the set at any moment.

    --
    Tiller's Rule: Never use a word in written form that you've only heard and never read. You will end up looking foolish.
  21. Re:Slick reporting by somersault · · Score: 2, Funny

    Hey! The best way to understand any topic in the world (especially on slashdot) is to compare it to a car. Politics, Religion, Science, Computing, FOSS, Education, Economic, Weather - it all obviously boils down to cars in the end.

    Should we all move on to Family picnic analogies instead? ;)

    --
    which is totally what she said
  22. Re:Slick reporting by DrLang21 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Religion is easy. It is obsurd to think that the car came into existance through millions of random design mutations that somehow did not cause it to blow up. The only reasonable explanation for the existance of the car is that it was designed and created by some intelligent being. Therefore God exists. QED.

    --
    I see the glass as full with a FoS of 2.
  23. Re:Slick reporting by somersault · · Score: 3, Funny

    I like your signature, but perhaps you could make a few changes? ;)

    Tiller's Rule: Never ewes a word in written form that you've only herd and never red. Ewe will end up looking full-ish.

    --
    which is totally what she said
  24. Re:It's Murdoch by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    But at least y'all get the page three girl. We really don't get anything to wash down the stupid with.

  25. I feel dirty... by MRe_nl · · Score: 2, Funny

    All right, but apart from the sanitation, the medicine, education, wine, public order, irrigation, roads, a fresh water system, and public health, what have the Romans ever done for us?

    --
    "Kill 'em all and let Root sort 'em out"
  26. Explanation of engine fuel for FOX viewers by autophile · · Score: 4, Funny

    The fuel has electrolytes. It's what planes crave.

    --
    Towards the Singularity.
  27. Re:Slick reporting by reallocate · · Score: 5, Funny

    It's FOX News. They've all had their frontal lobes removed. Be happy they didn't ask if the plane could get close to heaven.

    --
    -- Slashdot: When Public Access TV Says "No"
  28. Re:I feel dirty by TheLostSamurai · · Score: 2, Funny

    I'm sorry, we stopped discussing TFA hours ago. You post is WAY off-topic. Please learn to follow the format.

    --
    I am Jack's complete lack of surprise.
  29. Re:He's probably making minimum 4-5 times your sal by MiniMike · · Score: 3, Funny

    Yacht, fancy house, nice car, holiday home etc etc.

    Not after he receives my 'Request for assistance' letter from Nigeria...

  30. Re:Slick reporting by DrLang21 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Clearly you cannot be reasoned with. I have a coalition ready to take the Intelligent Engineering theory into high school biology classrooms. I think you will have a difficult time stopping us.

    --
    I see the glass as full with a FoS of 2.
  31. Re:Slick reporting by somersault · · Score: 2, Funny

    Please. Nobody will ever believe that engineers are intelligent after I show them pictures of you and your classmates using that supercharger system to chug a keg of beer.

    --
    which is totally what she said
  32. Re:You joke but... by DamnStupidElf · · Score: 2, Funny

    ...with at least one hot chick who is there of her own free will.

    But she'd be watching Fox News.