X-51 WaveRider The X-51A WaveRider, a wingless scramjet, will make its first hypersonic test flight Tuesday over the Pacific Ocean. Air Force Research Laboratory From Popular Science:
The military’s new wingless plane is set to make its first hypersonic test flight Tuesday, after it is released from a B-52 bomber off the California coast.
The X-51A WaveRider, which sort of resembles a shark, will fly for about five minutes, powered by a scramjet engine. It should reach about Mach 6 and transmit data to ground stations before splashing down in the Pacific Ocean, according to the Air Force Research Laboratory.
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UPDATE: Today’s X-51 hypersonic missile test was scrubbed. “A tanker ship sailed into the splash zone,” our spy says. “Next attempt tomorrow.”
My Comment: A full report on the results of this test will be posted in this blog when possible..