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Crashed X-51A Test Results Released

Posted by Unknown on from the better-luck-next-time dept.

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."

5 of 48 comments (clear)

  1. Short Report: by Penguinisto · · Score: 4, Interesting

    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.

    --
    Quo usque tandem abutere, Nimbus, patientia nostra?
    1. Re:Short Report: by The+Grim+Reefer · · Score: 5, Funny

      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.

  2. No by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    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.

  3. X51 by sunderland56 · · Score: 4, Funny

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

    1. Re:X51 by RightwingNutjob · · Score: 5, Funny

      And it crashed! Stick to X11.