Skunk works RATTLRS project! (High speed time critical strikes!) Mach 3 + + speeds!

www.onr.navy.mil...

Click the link for the bigger high res picture (its the top right image in the set.) Theres a massive high res downloadable version as well.

My oh my have lockheed been busy bunnies indeed.

Remind any one of the D-21 drone that rode piggy back on the SR-71 at all??

Any more pictures or info as always greatly appreciated.


[edit on 26/7/06 by GSA]

[edit on 26/7/06 by GSA]

The D-21 drone was on the back of a M-21 which was a modified A-12 and not an SR-71.

well thats great, all smart ass and no help what so ever. Did you look at the piccie ? Did it look familiar? or are you just going to sit and be nasty??

If its the latter please go away and do it else where - I am trying to learn more, not swim in your petty ignorance.

damn people its a mach 4+ strike drone!!! Woo Hooo!!! This is awesome, here read this from lockheed about the contract!!!!!!

(NYSE: LMT) received a Revolutionary Approach to Time-critical Long Range
Strike (RATTLRS) phase-two contract award from the Office of Naval Research on
July 20. RATTLRS is part of the National Aerospace Initiative and is a
demonstration program to increase capabilities and performance for expendable
supersonic vehicles. In total, this is a five-year (base and options)
Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity contract with a ceiling of
$175 million.
Lockheed Martin is teamed with Allison Advanced Development Company (AADC)
to develop technologies that will provide an advanced Mach 4+ integrated
propulsion system in an operationally traceable airframe. The AADC YJ102R
engine provides the supersonic cruise capability of the legendary SR-71 spy
plane in a simple and inexpensive engine suitable for an expendable missile.
Advances in turbine cooling technology in the 40 years since the SR-71 first
flew allow the YJ102R to provide more than six times the specific thrust of
the SR-71 engines, allowing the RATTLRS vehicle to cruise at similar Mach
numbers without the high fuel consumption of afterburning engines.
"Our team's RATTLRS approach will contribute landmark technologies toward
Long Range Strike," said Neil Kacena of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company's
Advanced Development Programs organization, also known as the Skunk Works.

"The Lockheed Martin-led team builds on years of demonstrated success in high
speed, hypersonic technology development and weapon system performance in
support of the Office of Naval Research's RATTLRS program goals," Kacena said.
Lockheed Martin is the industry leader in high speed aerospace systems,
providing expertise, technology and operational systems to the warfighter.
The RATTLRS program is a key component in Lockheed Martin's goal to develop
high speed weapon systems for joint U.S. customers.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 130,000
people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design,
development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems,
products and services. The corporation reported 2003 sales of $31.8 billion.


wowser this is what i was after, some nice pertinent information. Cheers!!


WOO HOO I WANT ONE!!!!

dude chill out...he was NOT being nasty.....somehow you took it that way.

play nice !

Yes It does look like a D-21. Tail is smaller, the wing looks like a double delta shape( Straight leading edges) where as the D-21 the leading edge on the front section was curved.


Be interesting to see how and from what they launched it.

www.popularmechanics.com...

From mays popular mechanics - take a look see ! Scaleable to fit B-52's, OR JSF for time critical strikes! and also sub launched.... woo hoo sweetness indeedy

Its amazing just how far ahead they have come and not a peep to the white world till now!

Rolls Royce sure pulled out the magic on that engine by the sounds of it.

Mods, if you feel this needs to be moved to aircraft discussion, feel free to move it.

[edit on 26/7/06 by GSA]