Trending Topics

Hypersonic Craft X-51A Fails Its Latest Test

The Waverider X-51A test was a failure. The vehicle was launched successfully from a B-52 bomber Tuesday over Point Mugu Naval Air Warfare Center Sea Range at about 2:35 EST. But 16 seconds after launch, “a fault was identified with one of the cruiser control fins.” Then, about 15 seconds after the craft separated from the rocket booster, the cruiser lost control.

The craft was built to go 3,600 miles an hour.

“It is unfortunate that a problem with this subsystem caused a termination before we could light the Scramjet engine,” said X-51A Program Manager Charlie Brink via a news release Wednesday.  “All our data showed we had created the right conditions for engine ignition and we were very hopeful to meet our test objectives.”

The test is a blow to the Waverider program, but also a setback for the development of hypersonic flight, since the control subsystem responsible for the failure had proven “reliable” in past flights.

According to the release, “Program officials will now begin the process of working through a rigorous evaluation to determine the exact cause of all factors at play.”

One of the four X-51A vehicles is left, but there is no official word as to whether it will actually fly.

A roundtable will be scheduled in two weeks, after officials have analyzed data from the failed test.

The craft also introduces a new type of thermal protection system and uses insulation tiles designed by Boeing that are similar to those used on NASA’s space shuttle orbiters. The most novel aspect of the Waverider, however, is its engine — a “scramjet” engine that runs on JP-7 jet fuel. The combustion engine burns oxygen in the atmosphere, eliminating the need for large fuel tanks. The engine on the Waverider was designed by Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, while the heat shield technology was designed by Boeing, the Phantom Works division of which conducted overall “air vehicle design, assembly and testing for the X-51’s various component systems.” On the government side, the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory and DARPA have been collaborating with the private-sector contractors.

Back to top