Technology

This Is the Hypersonic Test Plane That Travels 13,000 Miles an Hour

Update: Weather conditions forced a delay in Wednesday’s test.  Liftoff is now scheduled for 7am PST Thursday.

Today, an unmanned plane will will take off from a California base for a test flight that will reach speeds of 13,000 miles per hour- fast enough that you could get from New York to California in 12 minutes.Hypersonic Test Plane Rips Across the Sky At 13,000 Miles an Hour

It’s called the the Falcon HTV-2. Shaped like an arrowhead,  it initially launches as part of a larger rocket, separates, and then cuts through the Earth’s atmosphere at an incredible gliding speed 20 times the speed of sound.

Fox News reports this is the second experimental time the Falcon HVT-2 has been demonstrated in flight. The first test flight was back in April 2010, and lasted for 9 minutes. Air Force Maj. Chris Schulz said in a DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) news release that the goal of the second flight is to ”validate our assumptions and gain further insight into extremely high Mach regimes that we cannot fully replicate on the ground.”

The flight plan for the Falcon HV-2 is similar to that of a space program rocket ship. It takes off in a rocket capsule, breaks free in the earth’s atmosphere, and then fires its own engines to level off.

You can watch a computerized simulation of the plane taking off while inside the rocket pod here:

And cruising in flight after atmospheric re-entry below:

As for the endgame of this hyper-fast aircraft testing, the U.S. military hopes with this technology it could one day strike anywhere in the world in less than 1 hour.

Comments (160)

1 2 3
  • dont_drive_slow_in_the_left_lane_obliviot
    Posted on August 10, 2011 at 12:45pm

    wonder what FedEx will charge for same-hour overseas delivery? one Sicilian pizza pie… from Sicily, please.

    Report Post » dont_drive_slow_in_the_left_lane_obliviot  
    • Seabee79
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 1:15pm

      Will probably replace the SR-71

      Report Post » Seabee79  
    • BOMUSTGO
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 1:24pm

      The SR-71 is no longer operational.

      Report Post » BOMUSTGO  
    • Pujols
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 1:50pm

      It looks like a Caroon. Did Obama ok this?

      Report Post »  
    • Chrono_Sleuth
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 2:01pm

      You would think with all the knowledge of magnetics and magnetic fields and how they distort gravity, we would be going in THAT direction, rather than continue utilizing the old Nazi rocket programs. It’s far less efficient to go in this direction, especially with how many parts are discarded as scrap…fuel costs not withstanding with current regulations.

      Report Post » Chrono_Sleuth  
    • Perspective
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 3:12pm

      The last operational SR-71 landed at Wright Patt and was decomissioned. I watched it land, one of the perks of living next door to an USAF base. I get to see a lot of really cool aircraft.

      Report Post » Perspective  
    • Evil_Conservative
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 3:15pm

      First, SR-71 was cool yes, but was only a spy plane and had no ordinance capacity. More importantly the SR71 at 2500 MPH was MUCH slower than this thing.

      Report Post » Evil_Conservative  
    • Seabee79
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 3:31pm

      BOMUSTGO————The SR-71 is no longer operational.

      you are not telling me anything I don’t already know.

      Report Post » Seabee79  
    • SamuraiZero
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 4:20pm

      [BOMUSTGO
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 1:24pm
      The SR-71 is no longer operational.]

      Not true, the SR-71 program is no longer operational, and all units that have used this aircraft have moved on to more advanced aircraft (U2/Global Hawk/Etc.). Believe it or not there are a few SR-71′s on 36 hour standby.

      [Evil_Conservative
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 3:15pm
      First, SR-71 was cool yes, but was only a spy plane and had no ordinance capacity. More importantly the SR71 at 2500 MPH was MUCH slower than this thing.]

      Also not true, there were 2 SR-71′s equipped to hold a single bomb. This was implimented incase of an all out nuclear war.

      Report Post »  
    • crawdaddy
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 4:21pm

      hahaha! i’m with you, dude. how ’bout a bottle of Chianti to go w/it.

      Report Post »  
    • avenger
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 4:21pm

      obummer will kill this project or sell it to china…

      Report Post »  
    • Spqr1
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 4:24pm

      The wasteful GOPers in the 90s allocated money for the SR-71. The Air Force took it out on joy rides to burn up the money with NO viable mission. So much for the myth of Conservatives being responsible with taxpayer money.

      Report Post »  
    • Servant Of YHVH
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 5:12pm

      Nice thing to have if you’re in a hurry.

      Report Post » Servant Of YHVH  
    • Servant Of YHVH
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 5:13pm

      @pujols
      Hope obama didn’t okay it, that would mean that something is wrong with it.

      Report Post » Servant Of YHVH  
    • Rightsofman
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 6:21pm

      Forget it China has already downloaded the plans and specs.

      Report Post »  
    • Theleftisda
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 6:33pm

      Ok boys and girls (this aircraft is a head game)
      we have the F-19 and F-21 hypersonic planes that have been around for more than fifteen years
      they are capable of cloaking (yes like startrek)
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgCXupNrwHM&feature=player_detailpage

      Report Post » Theleftisda  
    • blazed904
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 8:35pm

      are you ready for travel wo liquid fuel?

      Report Post »  
    • southerngal
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 9:21pm

      magnetotron technology requires an west to east trajectory. any base would necessarily have to be based in Maine. why else the build up in Bangor. A previously used NORAD enclave. Systematic.M-DRIVE requires over 200 on the ground surface technicians per launch. Hmmmm see a pattern yet?

      Report Post »  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 11:23pm

      The Space Shuttle flies at 13,500 MPH and this one only does 13,000 MPH. So, we gave up the Space Shuttle Program for a model that does 500 MPH less? Sounds like “sound” progressive, liberal, socialist, anti-American policy! Bye, bye, NASA! Hope you do well convincing Muslims of all the wonderful things they did for the Space Program.

      Report Post » The-Monk  
    • 9111315
      Posted on August 11, 2011 at 12:05am

      @PUJOLS “It looks like a Caroon. Did Obama ok this?” — LOL, No! This is the first that he herd of it and he sure is upset. And from Glenn’s Blaze is just salt on an open wound.

      Report Post »  
    • Phoenixsoulfire
      Posted on August 11, 2011 at 12:15am

      @avenger Don’t say that about him! He will sell it to the muslim brother hood along with the battle tanks they are going to get in Egypt!

      Report Post »  
    • JJ Coolay
      Posted on August 11, 2011 at 12:51am

      That’s about 6-10 times faster than a speeding bullet.
      That’s cruising.

      Report Post » JJ Coolay  
    • last frontier
      Posted on August 11, 2011 at 12:51am

      The Aurora has already replaced the SR 71 for maned surveillance, this will be a strategic unmanned vehicle.

      Report Post » last frontier  
    • Dagger82
      Posted on August 11, 2011 at 1:27am

      SPQR1, you are SO uninformed and, as a result, spewing such crap!

      The original U-2 was built in the early ’50s with intent to overfly nations at altitude for intelligence gathering. Remember, this was before satellites (USSR launched Sputnik in 1957).

      In 1960, the Soviets succeeded in downing Francis Gary Powers by means of surface-to-air missile, a result of the U-2′s single flaw – slow speed. We were developing the YF-12a in the Black World (super secret) that was meant to be a super fast interceptor (hence the YF designator). At mach 3+ with cruising altitude over 80,000 feet, concept was to provide high altitude reconnaissance with ability to outrun a missile should an adversary attempt to engage.

      So far as your, “…The Air Force took it out on joy rides to burn up the money with NO viable mission.” You must remember the Mig pilot that defected from Kamchatka and landed in Japan in 1984. We were VERY interested in that Mig-25 since available intelligence indicated it was superior to our F-15′s and F-16′s at a time when we (the West) were most vulnerable to Soviet onslaught in Europe. Thankfully, we found the Mig was developed and built for ONE and only ONE reason ~ launch when notified that an SR-71 was approaching Soviet airspace; fly full-burners to reach altitude; launch air-to-air missiles in hope of downing the Blackbird; then land immediately since it was nearly out of fuel. So much for their superior fighter.

      SPQR – Grow up; get educated; a

      Report Post » Dagger82  
    • silentwatcher
      Posted on August 11, 2011 at 1:29am

      Yea, right. And where did you get the technology and design for the physical structure of the craft???? hmmm???
      You people are sooo ‘transparent’ and you reek of your lies and cover-ups. Some people do possess the capacity to think and come to reasonable conclusions.

      Report Post »  
    • GhostOfJefferson
      Posted on August 11, 2011 at 7:11am

      I‘d love to live in a reality where reports of ground breaking aircraft speed technology didn’t involve terms telling us how fast it could be used to kill other human beings. Glowing reports of how it could be used for peaceful commercial and private uses, seems to me, to be much more in line with how things should be. Why everything since WW2 has to be reported in terms of lethality is beyond me. Keep the herd whipped in war fervor I guess.

      Me, I prefer the peace seeking free market approach to technology. They say I’m a dreamer.

      Report Post » GhostOfJefferson  
    • imreddog
      Posted on August 11, 2011 at 9:18am

      Uh Oh… This thing uses too much fuel. Obama will sign an executive order that will require them to develop a battery powered model that gets 50 mpg by 2012. Whatdoyoumean you don’t get mpg out of a battery? Will it tip over Guam? Most likely, and will be outlawed in all 58 states.
      Of course, Al the Gore will complain that this aircraft is poluting the air…. carbon credits… anyone?

      Report Post »  
  • banjarmon
    Posted on August 10, 2011 at 12:37pm

    A Flying Glass Factory…

    Report Post » banjarmon  
    • brotherjohn
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 12:45pm

      That’s what I was thinking, but how could it be any better at putting ordinance on target than a sub or land based option? Maybe as a backup?

      Report Post » brotherjohn  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 3:29pm

      I have to agree with you in part about this; the thing is though, one time I heard of this system also being tied into what at the time was known as the “Minotaur IV” missile system; I think that was part of the anti-ballistic systems that Mr Obama seeks to destroy or give our enemies control over.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • Attention2Detail
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 8:40pm

      BROTHERJOHN;
      While ballistic missile technology is good, this will be much more accurate because it has better manueverability. An important factor when using conventional explosives or low yield nukes.

      Report Post » Attention2Detail  
  • Rick Steele
    Posted on August 10, 2011 at 12:33pm

    Today’s launch scrubbed due to bad weather. Maybe tomorrow.

    Report Post »  
  • uptickusa
    Posted on August 10, 2011 at 12:25pm

    What a wonderful world-We spend billions to kill some faster and look the other way to cure cancer-heart disease and diabetes–FOCUS ON WHAT IS IMPORTANT-

    More people care about adults playing football,soccor.basketball then worrying about our country go figger

    Report Post »  
    • Happy Killmore
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 12:35pm

      Maybe you shouldn‘t post if you don’t know anything about what you’re posting. The private sector, in the form of pharmaceutical and medical device companies, spend billions on that and come out with new treatments all the time. The advances in treatment for cancer over the past several years are staggering. Do a little research first, then leave an informed post.

      Report Post » Happy Killmore  
    • Attention2Detail
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 12:39pm

      The governement needs to stay out of medicine. Did you ever notice that when the government pays for the research, no cure is found. These researchers know that as soon as a cure is found, the money stops. Can’t have that. On the other hand, killing people who want to kill us before they get the chance is always a winning proposition.

      Report Post » Attention2Detail  
    • arbky
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 12:40pm

      To UPTICKUSA’s comments: Defense makes all else possible, including the causes you cite.

      Report Post »  
    • brotherjohn
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 12:53pm

      Your argument is so full of holes that I don’t know where to begin…

      Is defense not important? The only reason that you have the right to spew this nonsense is that the US has led the world since WWII in cutting edge technology. Should we sit back and let someone else dominate for a while? Would that be fair?

      How long do you think you would enjoy your current standard of living, whatever it may be, if we lose our military superiority? Just be glad that there are so many that are willing to defend your right to express your opinion (however wrong it may be).

      Report Post » brotherjohn  
    • Supertomcat
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 1:03pm

      I would just like to say that the U.S. is the worlds largest arms exporter.

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arms_industry#World.27s_largest_arms_exporters

      Its one of our major exports, if not the major export of the U.S. That being said, every time I see new weapon systems being developed, I see more money in American industry, more jobs.

      Report Post » Supertomcat  
    • raceratdaytona
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 3:15pm

      read “fight for your health ” Byron J Richards for a start. If you think the drug companies wish to cure any illness you are sadly mistaken and ill informed. just follow the money. Why do we call it managed health care, no $$$$ to be made if they could find a cure
      with all the $$$$ the cancer institute has thrown at a cure, we are no closer today. it is just one GREAT BIG EVIL BUSINESS mortalitity rates are surprisingly similar today as they were say 10 years ago

      Report Post »  
    • MajorShultz
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 7:15pm

      Wow! The constitution outlines the federal responsibility to provide for defense. The major advances in medicine since the founding of this county have been by private research. The US government restricts new drug developement and slow the release of new agents so that it takes twice the approval time compared to europe.

      Report Post »  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 11:39pm

      @Happy Killmore
      If you weren‘t so stupid I’d send you the link of a Doctor, that the FDA has tried to shut down for years, that has a 90% success rate for most all cancers with no side effects. I’d rather see you die of cancer than tell you where to go for a cure… just because you are so close-minded and ignorant. Just look at your name… Happy Kill More. You are Happy to Kill More! What a stupid name. It lets all of us know exactly who you are and what you think! Have fun with all the pills, chemo and radiation!

      Report Post » The-Monk  
    • JJ Coolay
      Posted on August 11, 2011 at 12:54am

      Killmore, the point is, there is BIG money in NOT finding a cure for cancer. No matter how much money is spent on research, sickness is too lucrative to end it.

      Report Post » JJ Coolay  
  • CanaryInACoalMine
    Posted on August 10, 2011 at 12:24pm

    Pizza delivery anywhere in the world in under 30 minutes!

    Report Post » CanaryInACoalMine  
  • heyjim55
    Posted on August 10, 2011 at 12:23pm

    We do not live in a safe world, the Russians are upgrading their missle systems they spend more on missles than any other weapon system. The Chinese rely on theft to advance their missle program so I expect them to copy this weapon within a few years. But it is the Russians that we should be concerned about because of their missle expertise they are equal to us and slightly ahead of us when it comes to ICBM’s.

    Report Post »  
    • hagar
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 4:40pm

      heyjim55 I sort of agree but I am MORE concerned about some long bearded nut driving a van with a nuke. Ship it into south America Drive it up and over the border or under the boarder and park it anywhere in the US kind of hard to keep it out of no fly zones

      Report Post »  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on August 10, 2011 at 12:18pm

    I imagine Obama has already made sure the Chinese and the Russians have the secrets and all the technical details needed to counter it and even build their own.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • Jakwalk
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 1:25pm

      I love your comments, 2 points, first – Obama probably had it land on the front door of China after a stop off in Russia. And Second- If we would just stop spending all the money we do for one year on Area 51 projects and NASA. We could probably get out of debt quick. I am not sure that being able to bomb someone in less than an hour is always good, what about the time you need to continue to confirm before blowing someone to hell. What if we spent less time and money on what’s in space and looked inward for a year or two at our real problems right now, right here, maby then go back to looking for water on Jupiter. Just Sayin.

      Report Post »  
    • Constitutional Conservative
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 4:36pm

      jakwalk – I think you better do some more research on the US budget before making such an absurd claim. We spent a total $140 billion over the course of 40 years on the Space Shuttle program. The current administration constantly tosses larger numbers than that around like it was monopoly money.

      Report Post » Constitutional Conservative  
    • C. Schwehr
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 7:42pm

      This is nothing new. The Air Force was developing the same system, called “Dyna-Soar” (for it’s method of Dynamic Soaring on the edge of the atmosphere at near orbital speed) but was cancelled by McNamara in 1963 as a cost cutting measure. It was intended as a near orbital bomber alternative to the ballistic missile, and would have been launched using a Titan 3 rocket. Technically it was possible, but was cut for bugetary reasons.
      As for the claims of an “F-19″, or “F-21″ hypersonic spyplane….pure conjecture…possible, but no proof
      And the BS about the SR-71 is laughable. There was an armed, fighter version of the SR-71 called the YF-12A. It was a pure, high-speed, high-altitude interceptor using a new Mach 5 missile system (AIM-48)which eventually became the AIM-54 Phoenix missile system for the F-14 Tomcat fighter. There were never any provisions for a nuclear bomb carrying variant of the aircraft….pure science fiction. The only thing that the SR-71 carried aloft was a Mach-3 drone called the D-20. The D-20 was intended for launching from the back of an SR-71 and sending the drone on missions into areas deemed too dangerous for a manned pass by any aircraft.
      Oh, and the U-2 is NOT a more advanced aircraft by the way….it flies at 1/3rd the speed and about 30,000ft lower altitude….not even close!

      Report Post »  
  • BeingThere
    Posted on August 10, 2011 at 12:15pm

    I initially clicked on this story to make sure it was ours. Put a nuke on it and aim it toward Afghanistan. Get the troops out first!!

    Report Post » BeingThere  
    • C. Schwehr
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 7:48pm

      Nah, much easier for the Air Force to load GPS guided nukes of about 10kt yield on to designated targets. Three such loadouts (75 weapons per aircraft) aboard B-52s would eliminate every sizable town, village and city in Ashcanistan.
      A nice thought, but I’d rather just use ONE tactical nuke on the government of Iran and have it done permanently.

      Report Post »  
  • Eric_The_Red_State
    Posted on August 10, 2011 at 12:13pm

    It‘s those bastards from Chicago’s fault.
    NOTHING good ever came out of Chicago

    Report Post » Eric_The_Red_State  
  • KickinBack
    Posted on August 10, 2011 at 12:08pm

    I wonder if the UFO sightings will be up on that day.

    Report Post » KickinBack  
  • Joe Potus
    Posted on August 10, 2011 at 12:03pm

    Watching video I realized my wife has one of these.

    Report Post » Joe Potus  
    • chris3
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 11:15pm

      wow, mine to, although it looks a lot more worn

      Report Post »  
  • Chuck T
    Posted on August 10, 2011 at 12:00pm

    Let’s start the pool: How long will it take before some treasonous bastard gives the technology to the Russians, the Chinese, or the Iranians?

    Report Post »  
    • nysparkie
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 12:02pm

      Too late, the Chinese have stolen it over the internet. The Russians got it with a beautiful spy. The Iranians are wailing to Allah to give it to them through some miracle.

      Report Post » nysparkie  
    • Joe Potus
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 12:04pm

      I think my wife already has this technology.

      Report Post » Joe Potus  
    • C. Schwehr
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 7:54pm

      Might take the Chinese a few years to engineer their own version….but then, the Air Force was betting on them not having a workable 5th generation fighter in production for another 15 years. Thanks to their own espionage efforts here, they have one in testing right now, and only a very few F-22′s to face them. Meanwhile the F-22 is out of production, and the F-35 Lightning II is proving not to be the “cheap” alternative to the Raptor that was believed. It’ll be just as expensive, but have about 3/4 the fighter capability of the F-22. Meanwhile, we have 20 year old F-15s which can be easily defeated by the F-22, and F-16s only marginally newer. We have another World War staring us in the face, and are just slightly better prepared for this one than we were in 1939!

      Report Post »  
  • V-MAN MACE
    Posted on August 10, 2011 at 11:58am

    This is obsolete.

    Hypersonic? How about Hyperspatial?

    What happens when I create a holographic photonic shell around the surface of a vessel by interference of an electromagnetic field with dimpled sphere geometry?

    Report Post » V-MAN MACE  
    • 1 Corinthians 15
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 1:36pm

      You hit the water and have to take a stroke

      Report Post » 1 Corinthians 15  
    • Steel Awesome
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 2:02pm

      That’s what Maj. Carter did when she saved Earth from an asteroid which was set on a collision course by the Goa’uld. Sorry, but it’s already been done.

      Report Post » Steel Awesome  
    • Evil_Conservative
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 3:51pm

      LOL. I was thinking Carter from SG1 too. Very nice technobable.

      Report Post » Evil_Conservative  
  • JLGunner
    Posted on August 10, 2011 at 11:51am

    Did Al Gore approve of its carbon emissions

    Report Post » JLGunner  
    • Mike N
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 12:04pm

      I think Al Gore needs to apply for approval of his oral emissions.

      Report Post »  
    • PlowMan
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 12:19pm

      I think Al needs to apply for approval of riding on the outside of this thing. We’ll see how long he lasts. lol

      Report Post » PlowMan  
    • derekcranex
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 1:57pm

      This is from DARPA. Al Gore invented this plane.

      Report Post »  
  • chris72sax
    Posted on August 10, 2011 at 11:50am

    If they can figure out how to make it fuel efficient and stop the sonic boom, this could change how the world travels. It does suck that the American taxpayers have to fork over billions in R&D and the whole world gets to reap the benefits. Some things never change, except us being broke of course.

    Report Post »  
    • C. Schwehr
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 8:00pm

      Cost efficient, probably not considering the mode of launch unless you could develope a high-hypersonic scramjet to power it to it’s working altitude. As for sonic boom…there is none. This craft operates by surfing along the outer fringe of the atmosphere (325,000 ft altitude) like skipping a stone across a lake….the shock wave never makes it anywhere near the ground.

      Report Post »  
  • fliptailhunter
    Posted on August 10, 2011 at 11:49am

    now we can kill ourselves faster

    Report Post » fliptailhunter  
    • Attention2Detail
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 12:09pm

      I’m pretty sure that the idea is to kill other people, but with Obama in the White House, I guess we can’t be too sure.

      Report Post » Attention2Detail  
    • Shasta
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 5:22pm

      You don’t have to worry fliptailhunter, if it advances our country scientifically or militarily, Obummer will kill it like the missile defense program.

      Report Post » Shasta  
  • SamIamTwo
    Posted on August 10, 2011 at 11:46am

    DARPA program is for dual purpose use: Military and Commercial.

    Report Post » SamIamTwo  
    • Attention2Detail
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 12:16pm

      DARPA is the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. It is not specifically dual purpose. Some technologies do find their way into the private sector, but the major programs are for military use only.

      Report Post » Attention2Detail  
    • PAWatcher
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 1:59pm

      Great info, never knew anything about this agency- part of NASA?- I’ll have to get some research done. I love advancement in technologies done by the USA.

      Report Post »  
    • aaronkcmo
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 3:38pm

      This has no commercial application whatsoever. This project ‘the HTV’, the X-51 waverider and the X-43 were all research craft developed for one mission – Prompt Global Strike.

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prompt_Global_Strike

      This is for striking targets anywhere on the globe with conventional weapons like an ICBM does with nuclear warheads. Why not just use ICBM’s? ICBM launches trigger ICBM launch detections and countermeasures. In theory, a hypersonic vehicle like the HTV can strike anywhere on the globe within an hour using conventional explosives. At Mach 20, a 2-ton vehicle like HTV would produce a significant kinetic impact without explosives.

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinetic_bombardment

      Report Post »  
  • Nigel2
    Posted on August 10, 2011 at 11:46am

    Why is more of our newest technology being pictured on the internet for all the world to see?

    If the commie Chicoms didn’t see it, they couldn’t start making plans to steal it.

    Report Post » Nigel2  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 11:53am

      That’s a damned good question. I hope they have plenty of stuff none of us know about, including the Chicoms.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
    • Attention2Detail
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 12:20pm

      The secret is to let them know what you can do and keep them from learning how you do it. Remember part of our strategy is to prevent an attack. What better way than to show them that you can easily kick their a$$es?

      Report Post » Attention2Detail  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on August 10, 2011 at 11:41am

    I guess this thing could replace missiles as the delivery method for nukes? The next all out war may be over for most of us in an hour.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
  • I.Gaspar
    Posted on August 10, 2011 at 11:40am

    With President Downgrade having yet to show any leadership skills, I think this would be the perfect opportunity for him to take charge and be the first to fly on this jet.
    He does that…and I’ll vote for him.
    But he has to do it soon, before they work out all the bugs. Otherwise it wouldn’t be a measure of his bravery and ability to lead.

    Report Post »  
  • Bobmouse55
    Posted on August 10, 2011 at 11:38am

    Why use tax dollars? Just give them the technology like Mr. Clinton did.

    Report Post »  
    • EZDOZIT
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 3:51pm

      The Clintons didn’t give anything away for free! Bill charged $75,000.00 for a cup of coffee that he got for free. The refills were only $25,000.00 each. The Communist Red Army donated $260,000.00 for his re-election . When it was discovered, he gave it back, and then said “can’t we just move on.” Too bad bank robbers can’t do the same.
      Is this why Janet Reno called back the FBI when they discovered the Chinese spys in 1995 at the LosAlamos Nuclear Lab?

      Report Post »  
  • nkawtg
    Posted on August 10, 2011 at 11:38am

    The U.S. can already strike anywhere in the world in under one hour.
    It’s called an ICBM.

    With some R&D ICBM’s can be fitted with conventional warheads.

    Report Post » nkawtg  
    • capitalismrocks
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 11:47am

      That’s already been discussed, the problem is, a launch of a non-nuclear ICBM puts the Soviets/Russia on an itchy trigger finger and could end up having them launch on unnecessary retaliatory attack against the US and/or NATO allies.

      This kind of weapon delivery package allows the US to not have an ICBM type launch signature and could be used in theatre to strike at a target in minutes instead of a strike from say, a Tomhawke which takes a considerable amount of time to launch and to travel to hit its target. The idea behind this kind of new weapon is a rapid deploy, rapid strike….

      The nice thing too… this could carry not a strategic nuke, but a much smaller tactical nuke as well.

      Report Post » capitalismrocks  
    • Attention2Detail
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 12:34pm

      This is far more manueverable and therefore more accurate than an ICBM. Think of it as a high flying, high speed cruise missile.

      Report Post » Attention2Detail  
  • SamIamTwo
    Posted on August 10, 2011 at 11:37am

    DARPA, eh?

    So what is missing is the cost of this program. ARPA/DARPA has had many a failed projects costing billions of dollars.

    Come on Blaze, you can do better than this…what’s the cost? Is it overrun?

    Report Post » SamIamTwo  
    • SamIamTwo
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 11:45am

      The total projected cost for the development, fabrication and flight test of the two HTV-2 vehicles is $308 million, a DARPA official said

      And when manned how much will it cost. LOL Imagine the g forces on take off…gotta come up with a new equipment for manning the puppy…whew.

      Report Post » SamIamTwo  
    • Attention2Detail
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 12:30pm

      Why would you put a man in it? This thing is not designed for a round trip. The story doesn’t say that, but read between the lines and look at the technology for getting it there. You can’t replicate that for getting it back. It would be like manning an ICBM. Talk about the ultimate suicide bomber.

      Report Post » Attention2Detail  
    • Evil_Conservative
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 3:47pm

      On the question if it would be manned…Judging from the picture (means little, yes) it has a large fuselage for something like an ICBM. But, without wings it is hard to imagine this thing landing unless it uses parachutes like an apollo capsule. An unlikely possibility would be controlled thrust landing (taking off in reverse). This would require a LOT of energy, and very precise control.

      Report Post » Evil_Conservative  
    • C. Schwehr
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 8:06pm

      The first vehicle may just be to prove the concept. The original Dyna-Soar had two pilots and landed in somewhat the same way the Space Shuttle did. Since the push is on for unmanned drones these days, it’ll probably be a first generation orbital bomber that can be reused.

      Report Post »  
  • ChiefGeorge
    Posted on August 10, 2011 at 11:35am

    And we can use it for?

    Report Post » ChiefGeorge  
    • urrybr
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 11:49am

      Aww c’mon guy! Didn’t you ever watch Buck Rogers, or Flash Gordon? Didn’t you ever dream? This is so cool! And the offshoot technologies will be tremendous!

      Report Post » urrybr  
    • ADNIL
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 3:59pm

      To carry warheads, of course. When are we ever going to evolve? It seems we are in a race to develop better, faster, more efficient ways to deliver death. It convinces me the forces of evil control the power brokers of the planet. And WE, my friends, are paying for it whether we like it or not.

      Report Post »  
  • nysparkie
    Posted on August 10, 2011 at 11:34am

    Up Up and away in my beautiful balloon, That is fast…. Lets see how long it is before China catches up
    with our tax dollars.

    Report Post » nysparkie  
    • nysparkie
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 11:37am

      I’d would like to know if this is the SKUNK WORKS developing this aircraft as they did the SR71 Blackbird.

      Report Post » nysparkie  
    • rightwingheroes
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 11:39am

      well seeing that it took China 60 years to reverse engineer our stealth tech, I’m going to assume it will take another 100 before they can copy this from us. It is not a waste of money, welfare and 99 weeks of unemployment is a waste of money

      Report Post »  
    • nysparkie
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 11:45am

      Patriot Missile flies just over Mach 3. So this plane is much quicker. I don’t think there is a missile that would catch it. What is that good for? I guess out-running anti missile defense systems.

      Report Post » nysparkie  
    • Joe Potus
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 12:07pm

      Was developed at Rensselaer in 1991. I know the guy who figured out the engine. They thought Cal Poly had the structure worked out in the early ‘70’s. Engine worked but Cal Poly blew it.

      Report Post » Joe Potus  
    • C. Schwehr
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 8:12pm

      No, it’s not a black project like the SR-71. The first version (A-11) was flying in the very early 60s, and wasn‘t revealed to the public until Johnson mentioned it in ’68 (?). Before that, it had been operational for 4 years!
      There’s a possiblility it may be a cover project for an already existing vehicle though!

      Report Post »  
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