At over 100 feet (30 meters) in length, the SR-72 will likely mirror the dimensions of the SR-71 but introduce a fundamentally different propulsion architecture.
The SR-72 program is developing a turbine-based combined cycle (TBCC) propulsion system to meet its operational requirements.
This system merges a traditional turbofan engine, used during subsonic operations such as takeoff and landing, with a supersonic combustion ramjet (scramjet) capable of sustaining speeds above Mach 5 and potentially up to Mach 10.
The SR-72 is intended to be unmanned, so that relaxes a lot of the requirements that go along with having to support a pilot. While easing the design quite a bit, it sort of makes it less compelling also. But, like the current set of unmanned ISR (some with armament) assets, I can only believe that it will be highly useful.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how they plan to control it?
DeleteI guess right now the other side can't hack our drones and that SR-72 would just be another drone.
The era of the fighter jet is over
ReplyDeleteObsolete
Bring on the drones
In a conflict with a technologically advanced opponent, satellites can be jammed or destroyed, necessitating manned aircraft.
Delete"capable of sustaining speeds above Mach 5 and potentially up to Mach 10"
ReplyDeleteUntil Maverick wrecks it.
It's been flying for 10 years. It burns a long, bright green trail.
ReplyDeleteAfter what the Skunkworks had to do with the SR71 to make it sturdy enough to withstand the temperatures from friction with the atmosphere, This DR72 is either a legend out of whole cloth or there are magical materials from alien technology at work here. Without say a full enveloping plasma shield technology, how else is it possible to operate such an aircraft subjected to far greater temperatures?
ReplyDeleteI’m no expert but I’ve heard that SpaceX has found a way around the plasma-induced blackout problem during reentry.
DeleteIf you're reading about it open-source like this, it's pure fabricated b.s., to a 100% certainty.
DeleteI understand the plasma shield concept been around for sometime, at least in its theory.
DeleteAurora already flies, so probably doing something else..
ReplyDeleteFrom Grok AI:
ReplyDeleteSpaceX has made significant progress in addressing the communication blackout problem during reentry by leveraging its Starlink satellite network. The blackout occurs when a spacecraft reenters Earth's atmosphere at hypersonic speeds, creating a plasma sheath that blocks radio signals. SpaceX's approach involves using Starlink antennas on the Starship vehicle to communicate upward to Starlink satellites in higher orbits, bypassing the plasma sheath that primarily forms on the underside of the spacecraft.
After it achieves Mach 10, how long until it achieves Warp 1 ?
ReplyDeleteAnother black ops reason for ripping off the citizens of USA INC. Projects like those are designed to enrich the selected "in" people.
ReplyDelete