Bill Carey

Lockheed Martin is actively pursuing hypersonic aircraft, estimating that it can build a fighter-sized demonstrator capable of reaching Mach 6 for less than $1 billion. The manufacturer revealed this week that it is advancing multiple platforms that would travel at or beyond hypersonic speed of Mach 5, or five times the speed of sound.

 


Having achieved “several breakthroughs” under the short-lived, U.S. government-funded HTV-3X Blackswift effort to build a hypersonic test vehicle, Lockheed Martin is now developing “a controllable, low-drag aerodynamic configuration capable of stable operation from takeoff to subsonic, transonic, supersonic and hypersonic [speeds], to Mach 6,” CEO Marillyn Hewson said on March 15. “Most important, we’re proving a hypersonic aircraft can be produced at an affordable price,” she added. “We estimate it will cost less than $1 billion to develop, build and fly a demonstrator aircraft the size of an F-22.”

 


Hewson’s revelation during the manufacturer’s annual media day in Arlington, Va., revived <a href="http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2013-11-08/skunk-works-hypes-hypersonics">the SR-72 concept plane it unveiled in 2013</a> as a successor to the famed Mach 3-capable SR-71 Blackbird reconnaissance aircraft. Working with rocket propulsion manufacturer Aerojet Rocketdyne, Lockheed Martin proposes a “turbine-based combined cycle propulsion” system for the new plane that uses a conventional turbine engine to launch, then converts to a supersonic combustion scramjet engine to reach hypersonic speed.

 


“Lockheed Martin continues to invest in component technologies and advanced materials needed for hypersonic speeds,” Hewson said. “We know that higher speeds allow quicker response times to incredibly mobile threats and the ability to project strength more rapidly around the globe.”

 


In a separate briefing, Rob Weiss, general manager of the Skunk Works advanced development unit, said the manufacturer is also eyeing demonstrations under the Tactical Boost Glide (TBG) and Hypersonic Air-breathing Weapon Concept (HAWC) programs sponsored by the U.S. Air Force and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (Darpa).

 


The TBG program aims to develop an air-launched, hypersonic boost glide system, in which a rocket launches a payload to high speeds, and the payload then separates from the rocket and glides to its destination. Raytheon and Lockheed Martin were awarded initial contracts under the program, which Darpa announced in 2014.

 


Following Boeing’s X-51A WaveRider demonstration of a scramjet-powered, hypersonic aircraft that flew at Mach 5 in 2013, HAWC would be an air-launched hypersonic cruise missile with long-range strike capability against time-critical or heavily defended targets, Darpa says. Technologies developed under the program could also apply to reusable hypersonic platforms for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and space access.

 


Weiss said he expects Darpa will select contractors for one or both demonstration programs this year, with actual flights beginning around 2018. “When Darpa makes these investments in advancing technologies across the board, there’s always a desire that there’s going to be a requirements pull from the services,” he said, when asked if a full program may result. “The desire is certainly to demonstrate the capability of these hypersonic systems and then look for a pull from the services.”

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Hypersonic Aircraft Are Ongoing Allure for Lockheed Martin

The defense contractor is advancing multiple platforms that would travel at or beyond Mach 5.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Kerry Lynch

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

IAM expressed strong opposition to a ban on the sale of Bombardier products

Trump’s Call for Bombardier Ban Draws Opposition

Charlotte Bailey

International ACE event to feature as part of expanding aviation trade show

Aero Show To Host Inaugural ‘Air Charter Regional’

Amy Wilder

Inventory fell by nearly a third year over year as resale transactions hit Q2 record

Asking Prices Disappear from ULR Bizjets, Says Jet Match

Trump calls for a ban on Bombardier products

Amid Trade War, Trump Takes Aim at Bombardier Once More

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

ATR 72 aircraft performs pre-modification flight in Toulouse

Kepplair Starts Converting ATR 72 Into Water Bombers

Curt Epstein

Only the piston aircraft segment posted a decline

GAMA: Bizjets, T-props, and Rotorcraft Deliveries Up

Hanneke Weitering

Two captains held the prototype 33 feet above the water for 30 seconds

Regent Flies Electric Seaglider with Crew for First Time

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

More In Aircraft