It was a historic test.
A hypersonic missile launched from under the wing of an aircraft. Seconds later, a solid rocket motor boosted the system to supersonic speeds and its scramjet engine ignited. Punching through the atmosphere, the missile accelerated to speeds greater than Mach 5 as it soared for miles. Compressing incoming air, the system climbed to its cruising altitude, withstanding blazing temperatures.
In the test, conducted by the
'This is a history-making moment, and this success paves the way for an affordable, long-range hypersonic system in the near term to strengthen national security,' said
Hypersonic missiles are dramatically faster than traditional weapons such as cruise missiles. They would give military commanders not just a more survivable weapon, but a greater range of options as to how and when to deploy them.
The test puts the companies on track to deliver a prototype system to the
'This flight test brings the
The former
The industry team's combined experience is helping accelerate development of the next generation of tactical missile systems.
'This is a feat that was decades in the making,' Whelan said. 'And, it is thanks to incredible innovators that turned mathematical theory into reality.'
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