SR-72: US secret hypersonic jet to allegedly break sound barrier in 2025
interestingengineering.com
Widely reported as the fastest plane ever developed, Lockheed Martin's SR-72 "Son of Blackbird" will test the claim sometime in 2025.

SR-72: US secret hypersonic jet to allegedly break sound barrier in 2025 | Believed to be a top-secret project of the US Air Force, the SR-72 is touted to reach over 4,000 mph (6,437 kph), making i…::undefined

  • abhibeckert@lemmy.worldEnglish
    191·
    10 months ago

    Everyone knows exactly where the satellites are and certain (potential) enemies have the capability to disrupt/destroy them.

    A stealth jet is, well, stealthy, which has a lot of value.

    Some artists impressions of the jet don’t have any windows and it’s believed to be unmanned or at least capable of unmanned flight.

    Also I wouldn’t discount the cool factor… the airforce does fighter jet flyovers all the time and occasionally stealth jets too. It helps with recruiting for one thing.

    • BearOfaTime@lemm.eeEnglish
      7·
      10 months ago

      Plus at Mach 10, there’s little time between target acquisition, firing solution, launch, even with Mach-teen missiles.

      It’s not like missiles have unlimited range.

      Plus being unmanned it likely could manuever much faster, since it doesn’t have to consider sacks of jelly, just airframe capability.

      Of course, I’m just speculating. Though range and relative speeds are what the 71 relied on to not be shot down too.

      • NaibofTabr@infosec.pubEnglish
        3·
        10 months ago

        I seriously doubt this thing can maneuver when traveling at its operational speed. Air resistance would be like hitting a brick wall, it would rip apart. Of course it can probably just fly past everything so fast that it doesn’t matter, including air intercept missiles.

        It must just eat fuel. I wonder what its expected operating range is. I bet it has to refuel inflight as soon as it gets off the ground and up to cruising altitude, before it can go do anything useful.