The X-60A is a trial aircraft developed for the purpose of assisting with research on hypersonic weapons. It has the capability of reaching speeds of mach 8.
Testing of hypersonic vehicles can be challenging due to the high temperatures they can reach, up to 3,800 degrees.
Scientists can utilize rockets designed for hypersonic speeds to evaluate the impact of high speed flight on payloads.
The X-60A hypersonic research rocket from the Air Force Research Laboratory has successfully completed another round of ground testing. The rocket underwent testing for its engine in two stages, “cold flow” and “hot fire,” while also simulating real-world operational procedures. The main objective of this program is to develop a cost-effective and dependable hypersonic propulsion system that can achieve speeds of Mach 7.
The X-60A is a disposable rocket designed for transporting hypersonic cargo. It is intended to be carried by a Gulfstream III business jet at an altitude of 35,000 feet. Once released from the Gulfstream, the X-60A will ignite its Ursa Major Tech’s Hadley rocket booster and reach heights of 70,000 to 130,000 feet before cruising at Mach 6-8 without power. One of the potential payloads for this rocket is a full-size model of a hypersonic vehicle, such as a scramjet-powered vehicle.
The main purpose of the X-60A is to expedite the development of hypersonic weapons. This would enable researchers and engineers to conduct separate studies on the propulsion system while simultaneously testing the hypersonic vehicle’s body. When traveling at hypersonic speeds, which start at Mach 5 and above, the vehicle experiences extreme aerodynamic stresses due to the force of air at speeds exceeding 3,800 miles per hour. Additionally, the friction between the object’s surface and the surrounding air can cause surface temperatures to reach as high as 3,800 degrees Fahrenheit.
The main purpose of the X-60A is to develop two types of propulsion technologies for hypersonic weapons: boost glide, which utilizes a rocket booster to accelerate the weapon to high speeds, and scramjets, which are air-breathing engines that intake air at supersonic rates. The inquiry is whether the X-60A could potentially be incorporated into a hypersonic weapon system in the future.