- Design and Specifications:
- The SR-72 is a hypersonic aircraft designed to travel at speeds greater than Mach 5 (over 6,100 km/h or 3,800 mph).
- It is expected to have a maximum speed of Mach 6, which is six times the speed of sound.
- The aircraft is designed to be unmanned and capable of conducting reconnaissance and strike missions.
- It will be powered by a turbine-based combined cycle (TBCC) engine, which combines a turbojet and a scramjet to allow the aircraft to accelerate to hypersonic speeds.
- The SR-72 is expected to have a length of approximately 40 meters (131 feet) and a wingspan of about 23 meters (75 feet).
- Military Applications:
- The SR-72 is being developed primarily for military applications, including reconnaissance, surveillance, and strike missions.
- The aircraft’s high speed and altitude will make it difficult for enemy air defenses to track and intercept.
- The SR-72 is expected to be capable of conducting strikes against high-value targets with precision-guided weapons.
- Technology:
- The development of the SR-72 is based on advances in hypersonic technology, including new materials, propulsion systems, and aerodynamics.
- The aircraft will use a combination of advanced sensors, artificial intelligence, and autonomous systems to enable it to operate in complex and contested environments.
- Development:
- Lockheed Martin has been working on the SR-72 since at least 2013, and the company has conducted several studies and tests to advance the technology.
- In 2018, the company announced that it had successfully tested a TBCC engine prototype that could power the SR-72.
- The development of the SR-72 is expected to take several years, and the aircraft may not enter service until the 2030s.
- Future Applications:
- In addition to military applications, the SR-72 could have potential civilian applications, such as high-speed commercial travel or space launch systems.
- The technology developed for the SR-72 could also be used in other hypersonic aircraft and missiles.
