US Military to Launch Mach 17 (13,00mph) Plane

[NickS VR4]

I believe it is carrying a payload and is just a vehicle for transport. From the sounds of it, the aircraft would be re-usable.

[ictponder]

I still think it shows the true intentions of humanity at this current state.

The project has been part of the Pentagon’s efforts to build a “prompt global strike” capability, allowing the military to quickly eliminate threats worldwide.

I understand the need to eliminate a threat, but the fact that we have to devote so much time and effort into doing so really makes me worry for anyone born on this planet.

[J. Fast]

just out of curiosity, anyone know the circumference of the earth in miles off the top of their head?

[NickS VR4]

just out of curiosity, anyone know the circumference of the earth in miles off the top of their head?

24,900 miles.

[J. Fast]

WOW... Leave heading east and come back from the west in under 2 hrs, that's crazy when you think about it!

[BigTyla]

I believe it is carrying a payload and is just a vehicle for transport. From the sounds of it, the aircraft would be re-usable.

From my understanding, this version of the aircraft is a glider. Previous versions have employed a scramjet for the aircraft to be self-propelled once it disengages from the booster.

Payload spec for this glider is 12,000 lb. That's more than sufficient to carry a nuclear warhead.

[AdamVR4]

So... Would this allow us to strike quickly enough that if we hit every silo, the enemy couldn't shoot back?

I know that's a mouth full, but the possibility is kind of a game changer.

With that said, this is being made public allegedly in the design stages, so the potential combat utility of this must be low. It's best use is to impress the world, but it's not really doing that with the unsuccessful public launches.

[onebadmollafolla]

So... Would this allow us to strike quickly enough that if we hit every silo, the enemy couldn't shoot back?

I know that's a mouth full, but the possibility is kind of a game changer.

With that said, this is being made public allegedly in the design stages, so the potential combat utility of this must be low. It's best use is to impress the world, but it's not really doing that with the unsuccessful public launches.

With something of this magnitude, there will be failures in the beginning. It is astronomically difficult to stabilize anything that can do *Mach 22/16,700 MPH at peack (see article) as it has done for over two minutes. They'll get it fine-tuned, I am sure.

*Nine minutes into that mission, which succeeded in flying for 139 seconds at Mach 22 (16,700mph)

[AgentOblivious]

So... Would this allow us to strike quickly enough that if we hit every silo, the enemy couldn't shoot back?

I know that's a mouth full, but the possibility is kind of a game changer.

The possibility's been there with stealth aircraft for a while now...the problem is that it requires a first strike, and no one wants to do that, because if there's one silo that they didn't find, or some hidden portable ICBMs etc. then its like kicking the hornet's nest. Nukes are best used as deterrents, because you'd have to be suicidal to use one knowing the other guy would hit you back. Which is why its also important to be religiously safety oriented with nukes as one slip and you ruin the Earth for everyone else.

Oh, and nice glider...maybe it was just too heavy, some idiot put extra steel on the bottom...

[BigTyla]

So... Would this allow us to strike quickly enough that if we hit every silo, the enemy couldn't shoot back?

Quickly and efficiently. This aircraft would be nearly impossible to defend against with existing defense technologies.