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USAF Scramjet Hits Mach 6, Sets Record

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the get-where-yer-going dept.

s122604 writes "The [X-51A Waverider]'s scramjet engine accelerated the vehicle to Mach 6, and it flew autonomously for 200 seconds before losing acceleration. At that point the test was terminated. The Air Force said the previous record for a hypersonic scramjet burn was 12 seconds. Joe Vogel, Boeing's director of hypersonics, said, 'This is a new world record and sets the foundation for several hypersonic applications, including access to space, reconnaissance, strike, global reach and commercial transportation.'"

4 of 326 comments (clear)

  1. Mach 5 - Not Mach 6 by Maddog+Batty · · Score: 5, Informative

    Boeing announcement here:
    http://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=1227

    "In its first flight attempt, the Boeing [NYSE: BA] X-51A WaveRider today successfully completed the longest supersonic combustion ramjet-powered flight in history -- nearly three and a half minutes at a top speed of Mach 5."

    My understanding is that it didn't reach the 300 seconds Mach 6 burn it was hoping for. 200 seconds and Mach 5 isn't all that bad though...

    More here:
    http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/05/27/x51_first_shot/

    --
    wot no sig
  2. Re:Still a long way to orbit by sanosuke001 · · Score: 5, Informative

    No it isn't. Mach is the speed sound travels in a medium (the atmosphere). As there is no atmosphere in orbit, you can't associate a mach speed value to orbital velocities.

    --
    -SaNo
  3. Re:Waverider by bcmm · · Score: 5, Informative

    So not only does this do Mach 6, but it also uses its own sonic booms to help with propulsion? Or did they just choose Waverider because it sounds neat?

    It uses it's own shockwave for lift, not propulsion. This does, however, help it go faster, by eliminating the drag that adding wings would cause.

    --
    # cat /dev/mem | strings | grep -i llama
    Damn, my RAM is full of llamas.
  4. Didn't hit mach 6, just mach 5! by PeterM+from+Berkeley · · Score: 5, Informative

    Hello,

        The story is in error. Per this link, the plane only hit Mach 5, not Mach 6. This is still a pretty successful test, however.
    Link: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37377401/ns/technology_and_science-space/

    --PeterM