The Associated Press reports that the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is seeking proposals for a super high-speed aircraft that can get anywhere in the world in one hour.
DARPA has set a four-year goal for finding solutions to hurdles in technology that have limited its successes in flying a plane that can fly at Mach 20, which would give American defenses the amazing ability to be anywhere in an hour. DARPA will host a “Proposers’ Day” on Aug. 14 to specify some of the technical issues.
The agency has had problems with its Falcon HTV-2 aircraft, which is designed to fly at the blistering Mach 20 speed — 13,000 miles per hour. On the last launch, the Falcon’s skin peeled away.
That speed could put an aircraft in Los Angeles, from New York, in 12 minutes.
The friction of traveling at such speeds necessitates an aircraft that can endure furnace-like temperatures and maintain pinpoint control.
jason biron says
i think that it would be a huge leap forward if we achieve that goal…
then we could try and use some of that technology for commercial travel
i understand that every piece of technology is tested for military use first
but c’mon give the lil guys something lol… i also think that we have to stop talking
about our projects openly … we want to be ahead of everyone else technologically
but we give everyone insight to our play book ….just my two cents
John M. Guilfoil says
Agreed. Commercial transportation has only slowed down with the retirement of the Concorde, which was never within reach of the “common man” anyway.