Real Aircraft Mach 20!!!! ???

[Paul Taylor]

Any body know anything about this?

http://news.yahoo.com/super-secret-hypersonic-aircraft-flew-skin-152315621--abc-news-topstories.html

[Steve Fitton]

Its was the last Hurrah of a DARPA research project.  Now they need to go take another look at the thermal protection system they used, or, get Brett Buck to redesign the vehicle 

[Brett Buck]

Its was the last Hurrah of a DARPA research project.  Now they need to go take another look at the thermal protection system they used, or, get Brett Buck to redesign the vehicle 

  I don't think they need me! Their control system seemed to still work with 100x the planned disturbance and half the skin missing. I doubt I could to a lot better.

   Brett

[Steven Kientz]

Obviously not silk and dope, it would of stayed on!!

Steve

[Brett Buck]

Obviously not silk and dope, it would of stayed on!!

Steve

    Until it burst into flames, of course.

   Brett

[Steve Fitton]

    Until it burst into flames, of course.

   Brett

Maybe the dope/silkspan would have turned into ersatz RCC

[Brett Buck]

Maybe the dope/silkspan would have turned into ersatz RCC

  Not likely with all that air around. It would be ablative, however. For about 2 seconds.

   Brett

[Paul Taylor]

You rocket scientist crack me up.

[jim ivey]

I made ablative chambers out of several different materials in several configurations for "rocketdyne" in the early 60s " mercury" and "Gemini" space capsules. from about 3" in dia. to about 18"s  Jim