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Boeing X-51 Waverider

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X-51
Artist's concept of X-51A during flight
Role Robotic flight demonstrator
Manufacturer Boeing
First flight 26 May 2010[1]
Status Flight testing
Primary user United States Air Force
Number built 4[2]

The Boeing X-51 (also known as X-51 WaveRider) is an unmanned scramjet demonstration aircraft for hypersonic (Mach 6, approximately 4,000 miles per hour (6,400 km/h) at altitude) flight testing. It successfully completed its first powered flight on 26 May 2010 and also achieved the longest duration flight at speeds over Mach 5.[1]

The X-51 is named "WaveRider" because it uses its shockwaves to add lift. The program is run as a cooperative effort of the United States Air Force, DARPA, NASA, Boeing, and Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne. The program is managed by the Propulsion Directorate within the United States Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL).[3] The X-51 had its first captive flight attached to a B-52 in December 2009.

Design and development

In the 1990s, the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) began the HyTECH program for hypersonic propulsion. Pratt & Whitney received a contract from the AFRL to develop a hydrocarbon-fueled scramjet engine which led to the development of the SJX61 engine. The SJX61 engine was originally meant for the NASA X-43, which was eventually canceled. The engine was applied to the AFRL's Scramjet Engine Demonstrator program in late 2003.[4] The scramjet flight test vehicle was designated X-51 on 27 September 2005.[5]

X-51A under the wing of a B-52 at Edwards Air Force Base, July 2009

In flight demonstrations, the X-51 is carried by a B-52 to an altitude of about 50,000 feet (15.2 kilometers) and then released over the Pacific Ocean.[6] The X-51 is initially propelled by an MGM-140 ATACMS solid rocket booster to approximately Mach 4.5. The booster is then jettisoned and the vehicle's Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne SJY61 scramjet accelerates it to a top flight speed near Mach 6.[7][8] The X-51 uses JP-7 fuel for the SJY61 scramjet, carrying some 270 lb (120 kg) onboard.[9]

Previously, DARPA viewed X-51 as a stepping stone to Blackswift,[10] a planned hypersonic demonstrator which was canceled in October 2008.[11]

Testing

Initial testing

SJX61-2 engine successfully completes ground tests simulating Mach 5 flight conditions.

Ground tests of the X-51A began in late 2006. A preliminary version of the X-51, the "Ground Demonstrator Engine No. 2", completed wind tunnel tests at the NASA Langley Research Center on 27 July 2006.[12] Testing continued there until a simulated X-51 flight at Mach 5 was successfully completed on 30 April 2007.[13][14] The testing is intended to observe acceleration between Mach 4 and Mach 6 and to demonstrate that hypersonic thrust "isn't just luck".[15][16] Four test flights were initially planned for 2009, but the first captive flight of the X-51A on a B-52 was not conducted until 9 December 2009,[17][18] with further captive flights in early 2010.[19][20]

Powered flight tests

The first powered flight of the X-51 was planned for 25 May 2010, but the presence of a cargo ship traveling through a portion of the Naval Air Station Point Mugu Sea Range caused a 24 hour postponement.[21] The X-51 completed its first powered flight successfully on 26 May 2010. It reached a speed of Mach 5, an altitude of 70,000 feet (21,000 m) and flew for over 200 seconds; it did not meet the planned 300 second flight duration, however.[1][22] The flight had the longest scramjet burn time of 140 seconds. The X-43 had the previous longest flight burn time of 12 seconds,[22][23][24] while setting a new speed record of Mach 9.8 (12,144 km/h, 7,546 mph).

Three more test flights were planned and will use the same flight trajectory.[23] Boeing proposed to the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) that two test flights be added in order to increase the total to six, with flights taking place at four to six week intervals, assuming there are no failures.[25]

The second test flight was initially scheduled for 24 March 2011,[26] but was not conducted due to unfavorable test conditions.[27] The flight took place on 13 June 2011. However, the flight over the Pacific Ocean ended early due to an inlet unstart event after being boosted to Mach 5 speed. The flight data from the test is being investigated.[28] A B-52 released the X-51 at an approximate altitude of 50,000 feet. The X-51’s scramjet engine lit on ethylene, but did not properly transition to JP-7 fuel operation.[29]

The third test flight took place on 14 August 2012.[30] The X-51 was to make a 300 second (5 minutes) experimental flight at speeds of five times the speed of sound, more than 3,600 mph.[31] After separating from its rocket booster, the craft lost control and crashed into the Pacific.[32] A statement by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) indicates a failure of the tail control surface as the cause.[33] The problem was an aerodynamic fin unlocked and the X-51 was uncontrollable with just three stable fins. The booster could not maintain aerodynamic control and the aircraft lost control before the scramjet engine could ignite. The fourth and final flight of an X-51 is planned for early 2013.[34]

Specifications

Data from Boeing[35] Global Security[36]

  • Crew: None

Performance

  • Maximum speed: Mach 6+ (3,600+ mph; 5,800+ km/h)

See also

Related development

References

  1. ^ a b c Warwick, Graham. "First X-51A Hypersonic Flight Deemed Success". Aviation Week, 26 May 2010.
  2. ^ "X-51A flight ends prematurely". US Air Force, 16 August 2012. Retrieved 7 September 2012.
  3. ^ "Successful Design Review and Engine Test Bring Boeing X-51A Closer to Flight". Boeing. 1 June 2007.
  4. ^ Warwick, Graham. "X-51A to demonstrate first practical scramjet". Flight International, 20 July 2007.
  5. ^ Propulsion Directorate Monthly Accomplishment Report (PDF), USA: Air Force, 2005 {{citation}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help).[dead link‍]
  6. ^ "WaveRider makes first flight". Air Force Times. 21 December 2009. Retrieved 22 December 2009.
  7. ^ "Successful Design Review and Engine Test Bring Boeing X-51A Closer to Flight". Boeing, 1 June 2007. Retrieved: 28 July 2008.
  8. ^ "X-51A Waverider flight planned for May 25". US Air Force, 20 May 2010. Retrieved: 20 May 2010.
  9. ^ "Factsheets: X-51A Waverider". US Air Force. 2011-03-23. Retrieved 2011-07-25.
  10. ^ Berger, Brian."NASA Helping U.S. Air Force Gear Up for 2009 X-51 Flights". Space.com, 8 September 2008.
  11. ^ Trimble, Stephen. "DARPA cancels Blackswift hypersonic test bed". Flight global, 13 October 2008.
  12. ^ Completes Mach 5 Testing Of Hypersonic Propulsion System, Space daily, retrieved 28 July 2008
  13. ^ "Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne's Revolutionary Scramjet Engine Successfully Powers First X-51A Simulated Flight". Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, 30 April 2007.
  14. ^ "AIAA HyTASP Program Committee Inaugural Newsletter". AIAA, April 2008.
  15. ^ Coppinger, Rob (6 August 2009) "Hypersonic X-51A gets December launch date". Flight Global. Retrieved: 29 April 2010.
  16. ^ "Hypersonic Test Flight On Track". Aviation Week, 5 August 2009.
  17. ^ "X-51A WaveRider gets first ride aboard B-52". Edwards AFB News, 11 December 2009.
  18. ^ X-51A WaveRider Gets First Ride Aboard B-52, Space travel, 18 December 2009
  19. ^ "X-51 getting ready for first flight". USAF Edwards AFB News, 4 March 2010.
  20. ^ "X-51A flight planned May 25". US Air Force, 20 May 2010.
  21. ^ "Shipping traffic delays X-51A launch". USAF. 26 May 2010.
  22. ^ a b "Boeing X-51A WaveRider Breaks Record in 1st Flight". Boeing, 26 May 2010.
  23. ^ a b "X-51 Waverider makes historic hypersonic flight". US Air Force, 26 May 2010.
  24. ^ Croft, John (27 May 2010), "X-51A Waverider reaches Mach 5 in 140s scramjet flight" (pictures & animation), Flight International, Flight global
  25. ^ Trimble, Stephen (31 March 2009). "X-51A flight may lead to B version". Flight International: 9. {{cite journal}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  26. ^ Hennigan, W. J., "Retest Is Set For Hypersonic Craft", Los Angeles Times, 24 March 2011, p. B2.
  27. ^ Croft, John. "Air Force launches mission, opts not to drop X-51A". Flight International, 25 March 2011.
  28. ^ "Second X-51 hypersonic flight ends prematurely". Flight International. Flight global. 15 June 2011.
  29. ^ Mehuron, Tamar A (August 2011). "Air Force World, Second X-51 Test Cut Short". Air Force magazine. 94 (8). Air Force Association: 17. Retrieved 4 August 2011.
  30. ^ Shachtman, Noah (August 2012). "It's do or die for Mach 5 Missile". Danger Room. Wired. Retrieved 14 August 2012. {{cite journal}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  31. ^ "Hypersonic plane fly New York–Los Angeles in an hour". NY daily news.
  32. ^ Weinberger, Sharon (15 August 2012). "X-51 Waverider: Hypersonic jet ambitions fall short". BBC. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
  33. ^ Majumdar, Dave (15 August 2012). "X-51A Waverider test flight ends in failure". Flight International. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
  34. ^ August failure of Boeing X-51 likely due to fin, resonance - Flightglobal.com, October 25, 2012
  35. ^ "X-51A Waverider Backgrounder". Boeing, September 2011.
  36. ^ "X-51", Military systems, Global security
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