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X-51 Hypersonic Aircraft !
serf
Member Posts: 9,217 ✭✭✭✭
Getting put on the front burner for the Military! I don't know if conventional weapons would apply but tactical nuclear one's surely would! The world's governments are hell bent on dominance of their power to thrust their sway over others!
serf
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_X-51
The Air Force Research Laboratory believes the successful flight will serve as research for practical applications of hypersonic flight, such as a missile, reconnaissance, transport, and air-breathing first stage for a space system.[
serf
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_X-51
The Air Force Research Laboratory believes the successful flight will serve as research for practical applications of hypersonic flight, such as a missile, reconnaissance, transport, and air-breathing first stage for a space system.[
Comments
With the advent of the intercontinental missles fired from land and subs I tend to believe the idea of a hypersonic fighter/bomber isnt necessarily as important anymore for the deployment of nuclear weapons. As missles that go into space and come down can not be hit with ease or fired from a sub you can not see. A plane regardless of how fast it is, can be found and caught much easier. If they can put a motor on plane to go so fast they can also put one on a missle to catch it.
Im sure there is legit research going into this to better our war machines but to be the forfront specially as our AF is unmatched I find it unlikely.
I wouldnt say front burner like the X-1 and chuck yeager as that was a true race.
With the advent of the intercontinental missles fired from land and subs I tend to believe the idea of a hypersonic fighter/bomber isnt necessarily as important anymore for the deployment of nuclear weapons. As missles that go into space and come down can not be hit with ease or fired from a sub you can not see. A plane regardless of how fast it is, can be found and caught much easier. If they can put a motor on plane to go so fast they can also put one on a missle to catch it.
Im sure there is legit research going into this to better our war machines but to be the forfront specially as our AF is unmatched I find it unlikely.
Well if it was below radar and streaking Mach 3-6 than a airborne missile would be needed along with downward ranging radar.
serf
http://www.ausairpower.net/Analysis-Cruise-Missiles.html
Defensive strategies for dealing with cruise missile threats fall broadly into two categories, the first being the denial or deterrence of launch and counter-force strategies, the second being the interception of launched weapons.
Scram jet definitely is a capability were seeking and some day will have them I just dont see it a major thrust into being an aircraft nuclear threat. Possible yes.
As these craft are air-launched, they are just an extension of the cruise missile concept - with a much longer standoff range and shorter flight time. That's significant but not revolutionary from a strategic standpoint.
The main benefit (I predict) will be the technology boost.
The chief advantage is that you force your enemy to develop, build, and then maintain wholly different defense mechanisms for missiles versus hypersonic cruise missiles. OR, risk not defending against one or the other. That was and still is the whole premise behind the Nuclear Triad: ICBMs, SLBMs, and manned bombers.
As these craft are air-launched, they are just an extension of the cruise missile concept - with a much longer standoff range and shorter flight time. That's significant but not revolutionary from a strategic standpoint.
The main benefit (I predict) will be the technology boost.
the technology boost was what I was getting at.
thats true but a ICBM flies at mach 23 I know there are interceptors for those but for one you cant him them in space. A plane is also vulnerable in a hangar and at take off.
Scram jet definitely is a capability were seeking and some day will have them I just dont see it a major thrust into being an aircraft nuclear threat. Possible yes.
Airborne lasers would hit MIRV's in space if in the air in time.So this can be a defensive weapon as well as offensive one!
serf
http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/How_Real_Is_The_Threat_Of_Laser_Weapons_999.html
In the next several decades, the potential for laser weapons may be enhanced, especially if it becomes possible to deploy them on hypersonic suborbital platforms operating in the upper atmosphere where laser dissipation is minimized.