Nearly Mach 10?

darkvarkguy · by **darkvarkguy** » 22 Oct 2009, 05:09

Just watched a great show on Edwards AFB on NATGEO (I think) and they mentioned an X-plane with a scramjet engine that flew recentley to nearly Mach 10. Anyone know which plane that was and is that the fastest an X-plane has flown?

Guysmiley · by **Guysmiley** » 22 Oct 2009, 15:38

It was the X-43, the unmanned sub-scale drone that was strapped onto a Pegasus booster. That was back in 2003 or 2004, the program got the axe in 2004. I don't think any hypersonic test vehicles have flown since then. At least none that are public knowledge. I think next up on the roster is the X-51, but its target speeds are "only" between Mach 4 and 6.

bazdriver · by **bazdriver** » 22 Oct 2009, 16:32

To be exact the test vehicle was the X-43A and it set an absolute speed record of Mach 9.6 on Nov.16, 2004. It was its third and last flight.

darkvarkguy · by **darkvarkguy** » 22 Oct 2009, 20:47

Thank you guys!!