SR-72 Confirmed: Mach 6 Project Blackswift

Does this mean they have cracked the 8 min mark?

a reply to: Blackfinger

They have to have. There have been several new materials developed for hypersonic flight so maybe one of them works.

a reply to: Zaphod58

Not to mention the revolutionary new designs where only part of the plane flies at Mach 18 for pilot safety.

Quoted from Aviation Week, in PM.

According to information provided to Aviation Week, one such technology demonstrator, believed to be an unmanned subscale aircraft, was observed flying into the U.S. Air Force's Plant 42 at Palmdale, where Skunk Works is headquartered. The vehicle, which was noted landing in the early hours at an unspecified date in late July, was seen with two T-38 escorts. Lockheed Martin declined to comment directly on the sighting.

PopularMechanics.com, Sept. 28, 2017 - Hypersonic SR-72 Demonstrator Reportedly Spotted at Skunk Works.

Cool news! Would be better if there were photos or something. They did get a quote from Lockheed at least saying, "it is above Mach 5" (same source).

a reply to: TEOTWAWKIAIFF

They also said "two to three times" Blackbird´s speed, that could be mach 9, folks.

a reply to: Fastmover

He also said "various platforms". That doesn't necessarily mean the "SR-72" will be that fast. I'd be surprised if it was honestly.

a reply to: Zaphod58

It´s like suddenly hypersonics is all over the place

a reply to: Fastmover

Materials science and technology has caught up to the point that it's feasible finally.

a reply to: Zaphod58
Yes, its curious how things develop. A couple of years ago it was bizarre to consider Lockheed´s announcement of the SR72 in the open, now they openly talk about prototypes and fielding this thing (or things). Same with plans on trips to Mars, now you get the BFR of SpaceX and Mars Base Camp of Lockheed. I have the feeling that they (whoever they are) are paving the way to something big.

a reply to: Fastmover

Like I said in another thread talking about it, it's the ultimate one-upmanship. The last few years we've been hearing about Russia and China developing hypersonic missiles and boost glide weapons. Those are advanced, but only have to fly hypersonic for a short period of time, and, obviously, are one time platforms.

Now here comes Lockheed with a platform designed for sustained hypersonic speeds, that can be reused again almost as quickly as it can be refueled and the crew swapped. That's a pretty big "in your face" announcement.

Its a pretty big good new for all of us who are passionate about it since a lot of years , now it will be more exciting to see it on the ramp , it is a slap in the face of the bad guys it mean now " who is the boss ! ". I have the feeling that we will see something bigger than we think.

originally posted by: Fastmover
a reply to: Zaphod58

It´s like suddenly hypersonics is all over the place

Almost as if its been there all along

a reply to: BASSPLYR
May be since a lot

The aerodynamics have..Think the rest of the tech has just had to catch up.

a reply to: BASSPLYR

Hehehe, my sentiment exactly

a reply to: BASSPLYR

I ,have been arguing with a LOT of people who forgot we have already flown manned MACH 7 missions in the 60s.
I guess the X-15 was faked too?

a reply to: cavtrooper7

And the Space Shuttle's atmospheric flight envelope made the X-15 look like a Piper Cherokee.

a reply to: Barnalby

But the chain of knowledge is somehow lost as the F22 is the BEST machine now flying in the sky, for combat aircraft?
Never MIND the bigger question here of WHEN such things will be actually used.

a reply to: cavtrooper7

There is a huge difference between a glider (the shuttle), a rocket powered aircraft (the X-15), and an air breathing sustained flyer. It's basically the difference between a soap box derby car, a jet exhaust car, and a race car.

a reply to: cavtrooper7

Other than wings and a cockpit, what does the X-15 have in common with ANY air breathing aircraft.

I'll wait.