X-51A Waverider Achieves Hypersonic Goal On Final Flight -- Aviation Week
The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory’s (AFRL) Boeing X-51A Waverider demonstrator successfully achieved sustained, scramjet-powered, air-breathing hypersonic flight above Mach 5 in its final test flight on May 1.
Although the Air Force is not yet commenting on details of the flight, the X-51A is thought to have experienced positive acceleration to speeds in excess of Mach 5 and run for the full duration of the planned powered phase of the test. Based on targets established for the previous test attempt, this could have been as long as 300 sec., followed by an unpowered gliding descent of around 500 sec. prior to impacting the sea in the Pacific Test range west of California. If these times and speeds are confirmed, they will represent new records for sustained, air-breathing hypersonic flight.
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More News On the Successful Test of The X-51A
X-51A Waverider achieves breakthrough in final flight -- US Air Force
Experimental Air Force X-51A WaveRider aircraft goes hypersonic -- FOX News/AP
Boeing demonstrator breaks hypersonic flight record -- Reuters
Boeing's X-51 Rams Through Records Roaring Along At Mach 5.1 For 3.5 Minutes -- AOl Defense
Experimental aircraft speeds to more than 3,000 mph in test flight -- L.A. Times
Air Force's X-51A hypersonic aircraft sets record during its final test -- NBC
X-51A WaveRider hypersonic missile successfully hits Mach 5.1 in final test -- The Verge
X-51A Waverider hits Mach 5.1 in final flight -- CNet
Boeing X-51A WaveRider achieves longest hypersonic flight ever -- Slash Gear
Air Force's X-51A Hypersonic Scramjet Makes Record-Breaking Final Flight -- Space.com
X-51A's Record-breaking Hypersonic Milestone -- Ares/Aviation Week
US Experimental Military Aircraft Hits Hypersonic Speed -- RIA Novosti
US Air Force one step closer to global strike capability as experimental aircraft exceeds Mach 5 -- RT
VIDEO - X-51A's Successful Scramjet Flight -- Ares/Aviation Week