I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e
Headquarters U.S. Air Force
Air Force High SpeedScience and Technology Plan
AIAA New Horizons Forum7 Jan 11
Dr. Steven Walker
SAF/AQR
Deputy Assistant Secretary
(Science, Technology, & Engineering)
1Distribution A: Cleared for Public Release, SAF/PA 2010-0865
I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e
Overview
Current program status
High Speed Weapon roadmap
High Speed Aircraft roadmap
2Distribution A: Cleared for Public Release, SAF/PA 2010-0865
I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e
X-51A Program Objective
Acquire ground and flight data on an actively cooled, self-controlled operating scramjet engine (rules and tools development)
Demonstrate viability of an endothermically fueled scramjet in flight Prove viability of a free-flying, scramjet powered, vehicle (Thrust > Drag)
Flight test the AF Hypersonic Technology (HyTech) scramjet engine, using endothermic hydrocarbon fuel, by accelerating a vehicle from boost (~M=4.5) to Mach 6+
3Distribution A: Cleared for Public Release, SAF/PA 2010-0865
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Sequence of events: Release at 49,500 ft, Mach 0.78 (nominal)
Clean release from B-52
Successful booster ignition after 4.04 sec
Boost to 58,200 ft, Mach 4.85
Booster separation (nominal)
Engine ignition at 61,300 ft, Mach 4.74 Successful scramjet light on ethylene
Successful transition to full JP-7 operation
Climb and acceleration (~0.15g) to 62,300 ft, Mach 4.88 (uncorrected)
Engine performance nominal
Fuel system control & cooling as expected
Vehicle bank and sideslip observed
Engine bay elevated temperatures
Loss of telemetry at 210 seconds Vehicle still accelerating
Flight terminated as planned 5 seconds after loss of telemetry
X-51A First Flight26 May 10
4Distribution A: Cleared for Public Release, SAF/PA 2010-0865
I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e
X-51A Flight Significance
X-51A first flight culminated a 7-year program to demonstrate viability of fuel-cooled scramjet engines
Significant accomplishment for science and military 143 sec of continuous scramjet operation time in flight
11X previous record of 13 seconds 4X total scramjet operation time of ~35 seconds from all previous flights
in the world
Definitively demonstrated airbreathing hypersonic vehicle acceleration (Thrust > Drag)
Demonstrated flight-weight hardware using fuel cooling to maintain thermal balance
Demonstrated practical scramjet operation using storable jet fuel vs. cryogenic hydrogen
Collected valuable clean-air data for “rules and tools” development
5Distribution A: Cleared for Public Release, SAF/PA 2010-0865
I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e
Overview
Current program status
High Speed Weapon roadmap
High Speed Aircraft roadmap
6Distribution A: Cleared for Public Release, SAF/PA 2010-0865
I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e
Survivable, High Speed WeaponEnabling Capabilities
Rapid, Responsive Strike in Anti-Access/Access Denied (A2/AD) EnvironmentsRapid, Responsive Strike in Anti-Access/Access Denied (A2/AD) Environments
Hypersonic Air Vehicle and Propulsion Technologies Enable Long Range at High Speed with Effective Payload
Variable Warhead Effects
Precision Strike
Net EnabledIn-Flight Targetable
Aircraft SystemsInternal bombersExternal fighters
High SpeedLong Range
7Distribution A: Cleared for Public Release, SAF/PA 2010-0865
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High Speed Weapon Roadmap
Fiscal Year TOTAL
Advanced Guidance for SurfaceTargets
Tactical Propulsion
High Speed Weapon Demo
WarheadIntegration
FY16 FY17 FY18 FY19 FY20FY15FY10 FY11 FY12 FY13 FY14
5
6
5
5
Transition Point (TAD)
5 Technology Readiness Level
Strike up to100s of miles
Configuration and Trade Study
TECHNOLOGY GAPS High Speed Multimode Seekers Anti Jam GPS Alternative high speed guidance (GPS denied environment) Compact energetic booster Aeroconfiguration, structures and materials, control surfaces, TPS Compatibility with current and emerging fighters and bombers Compatibility with Navy/VLS
Demo Tasks•Platform integration•X-51A+ (scramjet)•Warhead integration•Terminal Guidance
8Distribution A: Cleared for Public Release, SAF/PA 2010-0865
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High Speed WeaponFY16 Demonstration
ProsLimited capabilityLowest cost
ConsLimited aircraft compatibility
9Distribution A: Cleared for Public Release, SAF/PA 2010-0865
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* Leverage Program
ProsCruiser/flow path Tactically compliantPossible Quick Reaction Capability
ConsModerate costLimited aircraft compatibility
High Speed WeaponFY16 Demonstration
10Distribution A: Cleared for Public Release, SAF/PA 2010-0865
I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e
* Leverage Program
ProsTactically compliant weapons system
ConsHighest cost
High Speed WeaponFY16 Demonstration
11Distribution A: Cleared for Public Release, SAF/PA 2010-0865
I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e
Overview
Current program status
High Speed Weapon roadmap
High Speed Aircraft roadmap
12Distribution A: Cleared for Public Release, SAF/PA 2010-0865
I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e
High Speed AircraftCapabilities and Attributes
On-Demand Flight in A2/AD EnvironmentsOn-Demand Flight in A2/AD Environments
High utility in space-denied areas
Large ground coverage area
Mach 4+ Cruise
Penetrate Denied Areas (Survivable)
Operation in A2/AD Environments
Turbine Based Combined Cycle
Reusable, Long-Life Airframe
Runway Takeoff and Landing
13Distribution A: Cleared for Public Release, SAF/PA 2010-0865
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High Speed Aircraft 2021 Demonstrator Objectives
Gas Turbine-to-Dual Mode Ramjet Transition Mach 4+ Cruise for 10-15 minutes
Mach 0-4+ Acceleration Limited Life at Higher Mach Cruise
Aircraft Operation Takeoff, Landing, Control
Maneuvering (Level Turn) Subscale Airframe, Half or Full-Scale Flowpath Testbed Secondary Objectives (2022-’23)
CMC Structures Advanced Power/Thermal Management Sensors Affordability Trades and Initiatives
14Distribution A: Cleared for Public Release, SAF/PA 2010-0865
I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e
High Speed Aircraft Roadmap
FY23FY22FY21FY20FY19FY18FY17FY16FY15FY14FY13FY12FY11FY10FY09FY08
5 Technology Readiness Level
FaCET 4MoTr
TBCC Flight Research VehicleDevelopment and Integration
FlightTest
“TBCC Integration”
HTV-3X4
Flying Test Bed Evaluations
CMC Structures Low Cost/Light Wt Hi Speed Structures
Advanced Power Gen
Flight Design PowerDevelopment/Test
Power GenDevelopment
SystemTesting4
Mission Analysis, Requirements, VisionVehicle and FRV Concept Design
FRV Structural Concept Assess
5
Flt Structure Component / Subsystem Development
6
5
Robust Scramjet
5
Enabling Technologies for Operational Vehicle
Prior Robust Scramjet
Transition Point (TAD)
15Distribution A: Cleared for Public Release, SAF/PA 2010-0865
I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e
Overview
Current program status
High Speed Weapon roadmap
High Speed Aircraft roadmap
16Distribution A: Cleared for Public Release, SAF/PA 2010-0865
