Aircraft Systems and Technology Meeting · 1975 · 18 citations · 0 references
EngineeringAerospace EngineeringMechanical EngineeringAircraft DesignExperimental DesignPropulsionAerodynamic DesignExperimental AerodynamicsHypersonic AerodynamicsHypersonic PropulsionPropulsion IntegrationScramjet EnginesExperimental HypersonicsFinsFlight TestingHypersonic PerformanceHypersonic TestingMach NumberScramjet PerformanceSpeed
A joint USAF/NASA study has developed a conceptual design for a new high-speed research airplane (X-24C) and identified candidate flight research experiments in the Mach 3 to 6 speed range. Four major categories of high priority research experiments are described as well as the X-24C design concept. The vehicle, a rocket-boosted, delta planform aircraft, is air launched from a B-52 and is capable of forty seconds of rocket cruise at Mach 6 with a research scramjet. Research provisions include a dedicated 10-foot long research experiments section, removable fins and strakes, and provisions for testing integrated airbreathing propulsion systems.