Air International 2011-07 / C.Kjelgaard - Surfing at Mach 5 /Technology/

ГЛА X-51 с разгонным блоком
Boeing has been contracted to produce four X-51As, with lessons learnt during each proceeding flight resulting in modifications to the subsequent vehicles.

Авиация и Космонавтика 2020-11 / С.Мороз - Противник номер один (19)

Экспериментальный БПЛА Boeing / NASA X-51 под крылом NB-52 - возможно, на его основе проектируется гиперзвуковая крылатая ракета HABWC
The Boeing X-51A WaveRider scramjet technology demonstrator failed to reach its Mach 6 goal during the third test flight on August 14, 2012. The Joint Boeing, US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and NASA test team wanted to achieve a speed of 3,600mph (5,795kmh) during a five-minute test flight. However, after separating as planned from its MGM-140 ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System) rocket booster (itself launched from a US Air Force Boeing B-52H Stratofortress flying from Edwards AFB, California) the test vehicle lost control and crashed into the Pacific Ocean. AFRL reported that the failure of a control fin caused the loss of the X-51A. WaveRider's previous test flights saw it reach Mach 5 on June 13, 2011, and Mach 4.88 on May 26, 2010. The US Air Force has a fourth X-51A, but no decision has yet been taken whether the test programme will continue.

Другие самолёты на фотографии: Another planes on the photo: Boeing B-52H Stratofortress - СШАUSA - 1960

Air International 2011-07 / C.Kjelgaard - Surfing at Mach 5 /Technology/

The X-51A WaveRider hypersonic flight test vehicle loaded on a B-52H assigned to the 412th Test Wing at Edwards Air Force Base prior to the first of three flights, one captive, one dress rehearsal and the final live release, in 2009. Developed by the Air Force Research Laboratory, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, and Boeing, the objective of the X-51A programme was to demonstrate the ability to use air-breathing, hydro-carbon propulsion in the hypersonic flight regime, which is flight more than five times the speed of sound.

Другие самолёты на фотографии: Another planes on the photo: Boeing B-52H Stratofortress - СШАUSA - 1960

Air International 2011-07 / C.Kjelgaard - Surfing at Mach 5 /Technology/

Prior to the first test flight of the X-51A the vehicle was flown under the wing of the B-52H mothership on several captive flights.

Другие самолёты на фотографии: Another planes on the photo: Boeing B-52H Stratofortress - СШАUSA - 1960

Авиация и Космонавтика 2018-06 / М.Никольский - Гиперзвук

ГЛА X-51 с разгонным ускорителем на пилоне самолета-носителя B-52

Другие самолёты на фотографии: Another planes on the photo: Boeing B-52H Stratofortress - СШАUSA - 1960

Air International 2011-07 / C.Kjelgaard - Surfing at Mach 5 /Technology/

The X-51A with its ATacMS booster, under the port wing of B-52H 60-0050 Dragons Inferno of the 412th Test Wing.

Другие самолёты на фотографии: Another planes on the photo: Boeing B-52H Stratofortress - СШАUSA - 1960

Air International 2011-07 / C.Kjelgaard - Surfing at Mach 5 /Technology/

The X-51 is a technology demonstrator for a jet-fuelled scramjet, which has applications for long-range quick strike missions and single-stage to orbit space launches.

Air International 2011-07 / C.Kjelgaard - Surfing at Mach 5 /Technology/

In addition to the flightworthy SJX61-2, Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne also produced SJX61-1 s for ground testing.

Air International 2011-07 / C.Kjelgaard - Surfing at Mach 5 /Technology/

The high speeds and conditions encountered by scramjets are difficult to replicate on the ground. The SJX61-2 was tested in a NASA wind tunnel at Langley, Virginia.