Ready for hypersonic? Really ready?

"In any event, hypersonic is coming, and coming fast (no pun intended). Are we ready for it?"

In the midst of everything else going on, our old friend "supersonic" is slowly being replaced with a new term - hypersonic. What is the big whoop about that? First off, it will change the face of war. Putin has already been bragging he now has missiles which are "unstoppable". Why unstoppable? If a missile is able to go supersonic, it only need break the sound barrier. However to be hypersonic, it must be able to travel Mach 5 or better - five times the speed of sound. Putin is right. Missiles that fast would be very hard to stop.

So far, four countries are interested in hypersonic weapons - Russia, China, India and of course, US. Actually, the United States has been tinkering with hypersonic weapons since the 1990's. Electric/chemical propulsion on sabot artillery rounds for one. And of course, the rail gun, which could also fire sabots at lightening fast speed. Where are these weapons right now? Still being developed. The capacitors to hold these massive charges required to use these weapons were way too big for the battlefield. But they are getting close.

But the electric/chemical and rail guns were testing "dumb" rounds. Effective, but "dumb". With the advancements in scramjet technology, we will soon have missiles which will be hypersonic. And not "dumb". In fact, very smart. 

Then we will have hypersonic planes. But to fly planes this fast, thinner air is required. So they will fly way higher than planes fly today. It is rumored that Lockheed is under contract to build the replacement for the SR-71 spy plane. This new plane will be called the SR-72, and be able to fly at Mach 6 +, at an altitude of 80,000 + feet. It may or may not have pilots. Higher, faster, and stealthier than the SR-71 - that will be the order of the day. 

So hypersonic will change the face of war - anything else? Oh, yes. The airliners are waiting with bated breath for a hypersonic airliner. One which could make it from LA to Tokyo in two hours, instead of 10 to 12. Any disadvantages of hypersonic travel? Cost. It is estimated to be very expensive, at least at the beginning (remember the Concord?). And of course, a return to the sonic booms. As a lad, I remember them well. They didn't bother me - I thought they were kind of neat.

Aviation experts think we are thirty years away from having hypersonic be more common, than uncommon. Lots of little details yet to work out to make sure this a safe and viable form or transportation. But it is coming. And will be here for military and reconnaissance purposes first. 

This is just one part of the brave new world which will be starting in 2020. The SR-72 is projected to have its first test flight in 2023, and be operational by 2030. The cameras on this plane will also be revolutionary, but that is a topic for another day. In any event, hypersonic is coming, and coming fast (no pun intended). Are we ready for it?