Mach 10 Free Flight of Hypersonic X-43A Slated for November

X-43A Stack on B-52 Mothership. NASA Photo

NASA aeronautics researchers are looking to conduct the final research flight of the hypersonic X-43A technology demonstration aircraft in early to mid-November, following review of data collected during a 'captive carry' dress rehearsal mission in late September.

The final flight of the small X-43A research aircraft is targeted to sustain a speed of up to Mach 10, or 10 times the speed of sound (about 7,000 mph), powered by a revolutionary airframe-integrated supersonic-combustion ramjet or 'scramjet' engine. This is a very high-risk mission, but if successful, the flight will set a new speed record for an aircraft powered by an air-breathing engine. ...Full story

Pathfinder-Plus Solar Wing Readied to Fly Again at NASA Dryden

Sensitive instruments on wing-mounted booms measure air turbulence and its effect on the stability of the Pathfinder-Plus solar-electric flying wing.. NASA Photo by Tom Tschida

NASA and AeroVironment, Inc., are joining forces again to conduct a new series of research flights by the solar-electric Pathfinder-Plus flying wing this fall at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center. The lightweight solar craft has been instrumented with a sophisticated atmospheric turbulence measurement system on seven long booms mounted across the leading edge of the wing. About three or four low-altitude flights over the edge of Rogers Dry Lake adjacent to NASA Dryden are intended gather data to help engineers characterize and model the effects of turbulence on the aerodynamics of lightweight, flexible-structure aircraft.

Guinness World Records Recognizes NASA X-43A Speed Record

Guinness World Records has recognized the world speed record set by NASA's hypersonic X-43A aircraft in an experimental flight over the Pacific Ocean earlier this year. The unpiloted, 12- foot-long aircraft achieved Mach 6.83 -- almost seven times the speed of sound -- or nearly 5,000 mph, while its supersonic-combustion ramjet (scramjet) engine propelled the craft for 11 seconds during the flight on March 27.

The accomplishment will be included in the 2006 Guinness World Records book, set for release this time next year....Full story

Dryden Workload is Shifting to UAVs

The remotely piloted Altair UAV makes its first checkout flight June 9, 2003, at El Mirage, Calif. The Altair could be a big part of the changing landscape of Dryden's work. NASA Photo / Tom Tschida

If it seems like uninhabited air vehicles are becoming a bigger and bigger part of Dryden's workload, that's because they are.

As more and more emphasis is placed on smaller, less expensive aircraft that can do the dull, dirty and dangerous jobs, so too is the role growing that Dryden will play in development of UAV flight systems and platform demonstrators. Work with drones, remotely piloted aircraft and autonomous vehicles has been ongoing at Dryden for nearly three decades. That work is the foundation of the Center's reputation for development of UAV technology and integration of new components, a reputation punctuated by the groundbreaking, Dryden-led Environmental Research Aircraft and Sensor Technology program that ended last year. ...Full Story