SR-72 Confirmed: Mach 6 Project Blackswift

a reply to: megamac
Megamac is correct regarding an SR-72 article in Aviation Week. You guys should really check it out.

Among other things the article confirms my original post which states that the new "SR-72" is a spin-off from the HTV/Blackswift program. It also confirms that the aircraft will use combined cycle turbine based ramjet/scramjet hybrid technology.

I do not know from any official channels but word is the demonstrators are in the late stages of TRL7 and they are flying although not at hypersonic speeds. This is because the engines are in the late stage of TRL6 or early TRL7.

Additionally, the new administration seems to want the craft ready before 2020 and there will be no public "rollout"; meaning it will stay "black" once it's operational.

a reply to: intelgurl

There have been quite a few sightings of something flying around in the last two or three years. With luck, they'll start flying it more now, and someone will get lucky and catch it out in the wild.

originally posted by: intelgurl
a reply to: megamac
Megamac is correct regarding an SR-72 article in Aviation Week. You guys should really check it out.

Among other things the article confirms my original post which states that the new "SR-72" is a spin-off from the HTV/Blackswift program. It also confirms that the aircraft will use combined cycle turbine based ramjet/scramjet hybrid technology.

I do not know from any official channels but word is the demonstrators are in the late stages of TRL7 and they are flying although not at hypersonic speeds. This is because the engines are in the late stage of TRL6 or early TRL7.

Additionally, the new administration seems to want the craft ready before 2020 and there will be no public "rollout"; meaning it will stay "black" once it's operational.

But does the definition of TRL6 and TRL7 not mean that there is a fully working and functional prototype? Meaning that something is already flying around in an operational environment, especially if its in late TRL7. I dunno, maybe you guys can explain it better to me.

www.nasa.gov...

originally posted by: Blackfinger
Th tech had matured after building the Sr71.They just had to make it better.

Like add go faster stripes and stuff?

originally posted by: Zaphod58
a reply to: intelgurl

There have been quite a few sightings of something flying around in the last two or three years. With luck, they'll start flying it more now, and someone will get lucky and catch it out in the wild.

At Mach 6 we'll be lucky to see it never mind catch it.

originally posted by: Soloprotocol

originally posted by: Zaphod58
a reply to: intelgurl

There have been quite a few sightings of something flying around in the last two or three years. With luck, they'll start flying it more now, and someone will get lucky and catch it out in the wild.

At Mach 6 we'll be lucky to see it never mind catch it.

Well, at some point, it has to take off, refuel and land. It doesn't do mach 6 all the time. Them are the times someone might just get lucky

a reply to: nelloh62

Not prototypes, but demonstrators. They're proof of concept vehicles.

a reply to: Zaphod58

Im sorry Zaph, i'm a bit thick. so, what Intelgurl/Lockheed are saying then is that the "SR-72" is a scaled demonstrator, not yet fully developed, and can not go at mach 6, and the technology to do so on a fully operational aircraft is not available yet ?

a reply to: nelloh62

What intelgurl is saying is that they haven't flown at Mach 6 yet, and are still developing the technology, but are flying demonstrators. Lockheed is saying that they'll fly an F-22 sized aircraft next year.

a reply to: Zaphod58

Thats what she said. Now the real question is what does she mean by "sr72"

a reply to: BASSPLYR

Saw this pop up on Next Big Future and thought of this great thread!

If the demo [is] successful then it seems likely a full-sized SR-72 (as big as the SR-71) could be operational before 2030.

nextbigfuture.com - Lockheed will build and fly SR-72 mach 6 prototype in the early 2020s.

Combined turbine and ramjet sounds like an engineering feat if they can pull it off. From a demo in 2020s to operational by 2030? Lockheed does not lack in confidence!

a reply to: TEOTWAWKIAIFF

Combined cycle engines have been around in tests and experiments for years. They've had issues with them, but have been getting better as the years went on. They've gotten closer every year it seems.

a reply to: TEOTWAWKIAIFF

Combined cycle turbines like the one proposed for the "sr72" seem stupid. Seems like a lot of dead weight to carry aloft. Makes me think of better ways to do the go fast thing. Personally i would dump the scramjet idea as silly. Its too unelegant. Useless outside its envelope and a waste of space. Offers poor solutions. I envision a better idea that achieves so much more.

a reply to: TEOTWAWKIAIFF

Lockheed seems a little bashful with their proposed date of operational ability for a "sr72"

a reply to: Zaphod58

Flight research vehicle already using combined cycle engines? Or is it just engine tech being worked on.

a reply to: BASSPLYR

You have the head of an engineer!

You see something and think, "There is a better way to do that." Me, I'm more like, "Gee that's neat..."

Anyway, I find it interesting that this is now being tracked in public and we get timelines and generalities of the envisioned craft. Sure beats the wink-wink, nudge-nudge of the past. Although that drawing has been around for a while so who knows how far along they are?

Areospikes.

a reply to: TEOTWAWKIAIFF

The X-43 was supposed to test two engines, including a TBCC.

a reply to: DanteGaland

Elaborate please

Any progress on S-MAGJET tech?

a reply to: Blackfinger

Crystal ball say yes-ish.