Approved Discussion on Hypersonic Aircraft

[DeSchaine]

Hypersonic bombers in the usual configuration are not capable of existing right now for several reasons.

Firstly, and most importantly, any attempt to go from transit configuration to strike at speed will result in severe damage or even destruction of the aircraft due to the change in airflow from an open bomb bay. Even F-22s are not supposed to open their missile bays at supercruise speeds, which are well below hypersonic speeds.

Secondly, stealth is nearly impossible at hypersonic speeds. Going that fast, there is no way to disperse surface heat buildup fast enough, or a heat trail in the air, and with current tracking and targeting technology, it's actually a simple matter to loft interceptor weapons.

Lastly, current avionics and directional control technology do not allow for anything but straight line flight at speed.  This negates any ability to evade anti aircraft weapons. The fastest military production supersonic aircraft, the SR-71, only defense besides chaff and flares was to increase speed to outrun missiles. However, it is possible, with proper computer assisted tracking and fire control, to hit and kill a hypersonic object with current railgun technology. Not to mention that the US has very recently demonstrated that it has the ability to track, target and intercept ICBM's which are moving at MACH 23, and much faster than any aircraft.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/vi...-1.3209730
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGM-30_Minuteman

These points come from a discussion with an Air Force Raptor pilot just yesterday.

Now, I'll point out that this is actually based off of conspiracy theory about what various governments may or may not have in top zecret locations and that LM only has ideas and theories as opposed to an actual working prototype.

Could there be a recon aircraft, unmanned, within ten years? Maybe. But an actual strike capable aircraft is out.