Approved Discussion on Hypersonic Aircraft

[Ceausescu]

Technology Submission
Technology Report Name of Origin Country: Allied States of Carpathia and Moldova Name of Technology/Object: T-33 "Direwolf" Hypersonic bomber Supporting Real Life References: https://www.extremetech.com/extreme/1704...-spy-plane http://www.defenceaviation.com/2007/06/s...craft.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgCXupNrwHM https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scramjet https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulse_detonation_engine https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DARPA_Falc...Blackswift http://www.lockheedmartin.com/us/news/fe...sr-72.html http://www.popularmechanics.com/military...-aircraft/ As a referrence, planes like the U-2, F-117 and SR-71 were classified for a long time and the govt did not acknowledge their existence, so given this pattern, it is certain that "black project aircraft" that have yet to be publicly revealed, exist today in operational service and there is a lot of evidence that a hypersonic aircraft is already operational https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_U-2 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_F-117_Nighthawk https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_S...al_history
Report Description: The T-33 Direwolf (operational designation C-33 Direwolf) is a hypersonic aircraft that sits at the larger end of the tactical bomber spectrum. It is a triangular shaped stealth airplane which uses a dual-mode engine (regular turbojet for subsonic and supersonic flight, switches to a ramjet / pulsed detonation engine for hypersonic flight). It fulfills a mixed role of special reconnaisance and first strike tactical/strategic bomber meant to swiftly take out important targets such as communications hubs and command centers. It has a low payload capacity and relies on precision and speed to get the job done. This is not an aircraft meant to be fielded in large numbers. Prototype versions of the T-33 have been tested with both scramjet and pulse detonation engine technology (both technologies have been prototyped and tested IRL, it is up to the directory to pick which is more realistic/feasible, therefore the final aircraft will be outfitted with that). Show ContentImages: Show ContentSpecifications: The T-33 is roughly the size of the SR-71 Blackbird, at 31.8 meters in length and with a wingspan of 16.3 meters. It has a crew of two and can carry a maximum payload of 1.800 kg of munitions (usually consisting of one or two GPS-guided bombs). It has a maximum operational range of 5,200 km (up to 6000 with aerial refuelling). It can briefly sustain flight at hypersonic speeds (up to Mach 6), in a straight line, typically cruises at around Mach 3

[Ayzek]

Are there really no comments from anyone? DeS? Raz? Oer? Ikar? URE? RC? Zab? >

[Rommy]

Give me a day or two to read more on this, and I'll present some opinions.

[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.

[Ayzek]

That video is hot. Like, no lie. I'd do it.

Re: subject matter: will give Carp an opportunity to reply. DeS's points are straightforward and solid.

[Ceausescu]

I'm well aware of the stealth and airflow issues. My idea was that the aircraft would cruise in stealthily, drop its bombs, then accelerate to hypersonic speeds and GTFO. The plane was never intended to be able to drop its payload at supersonic speeds, its designed as a hit & run plane. Alternatively, the same airframe can also be used for recon missions. This is by no means an end-all-be-all aircraft. Its a highly specialized piece of equipment which was originally intended as a research platform and would be pressed into service because it'd be a shame to waste the money it cost to develop it (Carpathia also did this with its first generation railway railguns, which were essentially naval railguns transplanted onto a railway carriage. Three prototypes were built and after a period of testing and adjustments, they were pressed into service).

OOC, the purpose of this aircraft isn't to give myself some sort of advantage, as I'm well aware of its limitations. The sole purpose which this plane serves, is to be cool. It adds a bit of fluff/window dressing which could be used in a number of ways (see my recent "UFO sighting" tweets, as an example). AKA its a fancy plot device, not a strategic game changer.

[Rommy]

Hi there, the Directorate last year approved the use "hypersonic precooled air-breathing rocket engine" technology. In its initial approval, it mandated the tech would only be used for spacecraft and military aircraft. In the spirit of that, I am requesting directorate advice/clarification/details/idefk on a proposed joint project between Lomarre and Singan.

This joint project would be the a hypersonic-capable bomber/recon aircraft. The noted difference is the goal here is not necessarily to be dropping bombs at hyper-sonic velocities (that's just plain stupid); rather it is to create a hyper-efficient long range supersonic bomber at the very least. This would be accomplished via the non-rocket engine variant of the SABRE that Singan/Kazemura are concurrently developing for their planned spacecraft.

RL, its known as the Scimitar, however its referred as a Precooled Turbofan Jet Engine. Reaction engines estimates it to be capable of Mach 5 and a range of 20,000 KM, this is possible through the efficiency of using liquid hydrogen as a fuel source, and the engine's ability to cool air while being compressed increasing potential thrust, and maximizing fuel use.

However, that is the ideal version of the engine, my goal is to have one in RP that is able to do a max speed of Mach 4.5 while having a range of 15,000 KM before needing to be refueled. The efficiency of the engine and fuel consumption also applies to its supersonic speeds according to Reaction Engines.

https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/295856.pdf
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reaction_Engines_Scimitar
https://www.reactionengines.co.uk/sabre/...d-turbojet

[Ayzek]

From where did you dig up those range estimates?

[DeSchaine]

https://www.reactionengines.co.uk/sabre/...plications

Might have gotten it from here. They estimate Brussels to Sydney at a little over 4 hours flight time with a cruise speed of Mach 5 in a single hop. That distance is 10,416 miles or about 16,763 km. By going 15,000 km at Mach 4.5, he's actually lowballing RL estimates.

[Ayzek]

The Scimitar engine stays within the atmosphere, right? And follows a conventional flight path, where it takes off, ascends, and largely consistently stays at a particular altitude until it descends to land? (Eg., it won't skip in and out of the atmosphere?)

Do you have any estimates as to the potential physical size and payload of a dedicated bomber using a scimitar engine?

The RE A2 would be required to fly over the ocean, to avoid disturbing populations. How would this influence the aircraft's use as a bomber or reconnaissance aircraft?