SR-91/Aurora (Rumored Stealth Jet)

SR-91/Aurora (stealth jet)

Project Status: Unknown (rumored to be retired)

Manufacturer: Lockheed/USAF (rumored)

Origin: United States

Role: Reconnaissance/Demonstrator (rumored)

Project Cost: Classified ($1 Billion to $9 Billion rumored)

Specifications

General Characteristics

• Crew: 2-3
• Length: 60 ft (20m) (Estimated)
• Weight: Unknown

Performance:

• Max Speed: >3000 miles/Hour (Mach 5-6)
• Power Plant: Unknown (Liquid Methane fuel - Lockheed Prototype Rumored)
• Service Ceiling: 80,000 ft - 90,000 ft (rumored)
• Weaponry: Rail-gun (rumored)

Summary

Other background details on this project are outlined in the following link(s) which some information has been used to summarise and build this blog post: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aurora_aircraft

The SR-91 was a rumored mid 1980's American Reconnaissance There is no substantial evidence that this project was ever built but enough evidence to tell that there was a such project. US government has denied that a project ever existed and Lockheed has outlined all evidence is just "circumstantial and conjecture". 

However through out the years and decades gone by Ex-high profile military personnel have 'supposedly' leaked information regarding such project & recently through the vast power of the world wide web recent astonishing images of and unusual aircraft has emerged with being rumored as the SR-91.

Gallery

Apparent SR-91

SR-91/Aurora

Image From the 1980's which raised questions
on the strange triangular aircraft, taken days after official disregard such SR-91 exists

Boeing X-51A (hypersonic Aircraft)

Boeing X-51A

Project Status: Testing (Open-Secret/Limited public knowledge)

Manufacturer: Boeing/USAF/NASA

Origin: United States

Role: Used for future High Speed Strike Weapon Tech applications/Hyper-sonic Transport

Project Cost: Classified ($300M rumored)

Specifications

General Characteristics

• Crew: none
• Length: 25 ft (7.62 m)
• Weight: 4000 lb (1,814 kg)

Performance

• Max Speed: >3,900 miles/Hour (>6,200 km/h)
• Power Plant:  Engine SJX61-2 (Mach 5-6), Hydrogen Chamber
• Service Ceiling: 70,000 ft (21,300 m)

Summary

The following is the link providing in detail of the 

project :http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_X-51

The X-51A is an unmanned scram-jet demonstration aircraft for hyper-sonic flight testing. the airforce has been in development of a hyper-sonic propulsion device since the 1990's. Only recently it has reached the stage of flight testing due to advancement in technology. First successful flight was in 26th May 2010. On 1st May 2013 the aircraft flew for 300 sec in hyper-sonic speed. The X-51A uses shockwaves to add lift and speed. The technology will be used to provide applications in High Speed Missiles, Hyper-sonic Travel & Space Travel.

Gallery 

X-51A , May 2010

X-51A, May 2013

Boeing's early concept designs of the X-51A

Boeing 2707- SST (Canceled MegaProject)

Boeing 2707-SST

Project Status: Canceled 

Manufacturer: Boeing Commercial Planes

Origin: United States

Role: Supersonic Transport (SST)

Specifications

General Characteristics 

• Capacity: 277 Passengers
• Payload: 75,000 lbs [34,000 kg]
• Length: 306 ft (93.27m)
• Wing-Span: 180 ft (54m) Spread, 105 ft (32m) swept

Performance

• Cruise Speed: Mach 2.7, 1,800 miles/hour (2,900 km/h)
• PowerPlant: 4 x General Electric GE4/J5P Turbo Jets 
• Engines Thrust: 281 kN (testing labs)

Why was this Project Canceled?

The following is the link in detail of project & why it was canceled: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_2707

Summary of reasons why it was canceled:

• Environmental Concerns - opposition to such project was becoming very vocal especially from the environmental lobbyist. voicing concerns over the depletion of the ozone layer due to high altitude flights, and noise concerns relating to sonic booms over residential areas.
• Govt. Funding Cut/Rising Costs - Despite strong support from the Nixon administration the senate rejected further funding. Even with public contribution of $1 Million, the project could not continue. The Vietnam war had a strong factor in this.

Gallery

TurboJets Being Built

Concept Model of the 2707

Early Concept Design of the 2707