X-51 to Make a Mach 6 Flight Over Pacific Ocean.

Doug Robertson

EDITED-The experimental Boeing X-51 Waverider aircraft is being readied to make a Mach 6 flight (six times the speed of sound) over the Pacific ocean, according to the Department of Defense. A cross between an airplane and a rocket, the Waverider is so-named because it stays partly aloft from the lift created by its own shock wave.

An earlier experimental X aicraft flew at a faster Mach speed in 2004, but only for a few seconds and that engine wasn't designed to survive the flight.

The X-51 Waverider's test flight will be of five minutes duration and may reach Mach 6. (Some time to accelerate to speed, you know). The X-51's technology eventually could be used in space vehicles. X planes are experimental or research aircraft designed to explore boundaries of aeronautical science or space.

The North American X-15 has been around since 1959, when first flights were made. Pete Knight reached Mach 6.72 (4,534 mph) in the X-15's most spectacular flight in 1967, so Mach 6 flight has been achieved before.

L-5jockey · Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 5:27 pm Post subject:

Would that be the the Boeing X-51 Waverider, flying Back to the Future Laughing

Doug Robertson · Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 5:53 pm Post subject:

OOPS! You are absolutely right. The X-51 it is-I had to take another look at the source. Will do a selective edit of the post. Many Thanks! Somehow, I had the X-15 in my mind.

L-5jockey · Posted: Sat May 02, 2009 7:17 am Post subject: X-15 / X-51

The X-15 is more Classy and much better looking! The X-51, reminds me of an ALCM or fancy cruise missile. Beside, it's an unmanned, a... "robot" for lack of a better word.
I think the early X series aircraft will be remembered long after the likes of The X-51, X-47, X-50 are relegated to the scrap heap and dustbin of history.
UAVs and UCAVs, just don't quite fit into my imagery of true aviation.

Just my 2-pennies. Wink

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