The objective of this design project is to develop the hypersonic reconnaissance aircraft to replace the SR-71 and to complement existing intelligence gathering devices. The initial design considerations were to create a manned vehicle which could complete its mission with at least two airborne refuelings. The aircraft must travel between Mach 4 and Mach 7 at an altitude of 80,000 feet for a maximum range of 12,000 nautical miles. The vehicle should have an air breathing propulsion system at cruise. With a crew of two, the aircraft should be able to take off and land on a 10,000 foot runway, and the yearly operational costs were not to exceed $300 million. Finally, the aircraft should exhibit stealth characteristics, including a minimized radar cross-section (RCS) and a reduced sonic boom. The technology used in this vehicle should allow for production between the years 1993 and 1995.
Advanced Hypersonic Aircraft Design
1992
87 pages
Report
No indication
English
Aircraft , Manned Spacecraft , Jet & Gas Turbine Engines , Air breathing engines , Aircraft design , Delta wings , Hypersonic aircraft , Reconnaissance aircraft , University program , Aerodynamic characteristics , Aircraft control , Propulsion system configurations , Thermal protection , Trajectory analysis , Wind tunnel tests
Advanced hypersonic aircraft design
NTRS | 1992
|NTRS | 1990
|NTIS | 1990
|Engineering Index Backfile | 1964
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