Crashed X-51A Test Results Released

cylonlover writes "The United States Air Force (USAF) has released the results of last August's third test of the X-51a Waverider, which resulted in the crash of the unmanned scramjet demonstrator. At a press teleconference featuring the Program Manager for Air Force Research Laboratory, Charles Brink, it was confirmed that a malfunctioning fin was the cause of the crash. However, engineers are confident of correcting the fault in time for the fourth test flight scheduled for (Northern Hemisphere) late spring or early summer of next year."

Comments

Short Report:

[Penguinisto]

This should be easy, no?

1) Procure working torque wrench of sufficient size and strength.
2) *use* the damned thing next time.

I mean, really - not even one page of paper for the summary.

Re:Short Report:

[The Grim Reefer]

This should be easy, no?

1) Procure working torque wrench of sufficient size and strength.

Are you kidding? With hammers costing the gov't $600 a pop, how much do you think a "working torque wrench of sufficient size and strength" goes for? It's probably cheaper to just build another X-51.

Re:Short Report:

[ackthpt]

This should be easy, no?

1) Procure working torque wrench of sufficient size and strength.
2) *use* the damned thing next time.

I mean, really - not even one page of paper for the summary.

Wrong tool.

These are Engineers .

If the BFH you used didn't work, get a bigger one.

No

[Anonymous Coward]

This is not as simple as a loose bolt.

..the upper right-hand fin unlocked and deployed while the booster was still firing...but the booster’s guidance system managed to maintain the proper angle...After the other three fins on the cruiser deployed and powered up, the booster fell away, but the cruiser’s onboard computer couldn't maintain control because the electrically-driven actuator of the fourth fin was damaged or locked in place...

So here is the proper summary:

1. fin deployed early, but that was somewhat okay
2. three more fins deployed normally
3. the last fin did not deploy at all due to an electrical/solenoid problem

So no this would not require a torque wrench, unless you tape a multimeter to it and start whacking the solenoid mid-flight for good measure.

Re:I figured out the problem.

[bogaboga]

You don't make any sense.

Code for:

"I'm sorry I don't understand!"..."Can you put it in simpler English, please?"

Learn to use paragraphs, they are your friend.

Write better English thus:

Learn to paragraph...

RTFA

[Required Snark]

http://www.gizmag.com/x-51a-waverider-third-test-results/24665/

However, about 15.5 seconds into the flight the upper right-hand fin unlocked and deployed while the booster was still firing. ... Indications are that the fin deployed because a random vibration issue caused the assembly to vibrate harmonically while in boost phase, so that the actuator responded and sprang open. ... Brink says that the simplest fix will be to deploy the fins on the cruiser about one or two seconds after being dropped from the B-52 instead of later when the vibration problem occurred so that the fins are powered up and protected from damage.

You're assertion is that the problem is the same as tightening the lug nuts on a car tire. The only lug nuts I see are the ones rattling around in your empty skull.

This aircraft needs to achieve almost Mach 5 before the engine even starts, so it requires an air drop and a rocket booster even to start working. It operates in a test domain that cannot be completely simulated or created in a ground test. This is exactly the kind of failure that can only be encountered by a live lest. You have to build it, fly it, and see if it breaks. There is no other way.

Given you complete lack of technical understanding, I would suggest that you stop wasting people's time on Slashdot and go somewhere more suited to your mental level. I hear that Disney has a lot of nice stuff for children. I think you would fit right in.

X51

[sunderland56]

Jeez, I know slashdot has been ragging on X11 all week... but they're already testing X51?

Re:X51

[RightwingNutjob]

And it crashed! Stick to X11.

Re:Do not attempt to land

[Zawash]

..Which is a moon.

Re:Do not attempt to land

[RaceProUK]

'All these worlds are yours except Europa. Attempt no landing there. Use them together. Use them in peace.'

Someone will be by later to revoke your geek card :P

Re:Do not attempt to land

[jgtg32a]

Says the man who quoted the movie and not the book

Re:Acronym expansion

[PPH]

I think you are wandering a bit off topic (OT) with this one.