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.