Rockwell International hypersonic research vehicle (HRV) - 1993

[flateric]

Seems to be Rockwell International's very own HALO study. Interesting how vehicle shape would be close to factual RI X-30 NASP proposal.

"...a concept for a
hypersonic research vehicle using waveriding
aerodynamics. Both hydrogen and hydrocarbon fuels are
considered. Tradeoffs are made on acceleration
approaches and launch concepts.
This study resulted in a hypersonic research vehicle
(HRV) concept with the capability of hypersonic flight
testing up to Mach 14. This vehicle, air launched at Mach
3 from a NASA SR-71, provides hypersonic testing up to
Mach 10. Air launched from the NB-52 at Mach 0.8 with
an external booster, the same vehicle can be tested up to
Mach 14. The HRV can be powered with either
hydrocarbon or hydrogen scramjets.
The HRV provides a near-term approach for obtaining
hypersonic flight data and testing advanced systems under
real flight conditions"

 

[flateric]

Final hydrocarbon and H2-fueled HRV configurations, vehicle acceleration concepts and NB-52 Mach 14 mission profile.

 

[shockonlip]

Thanks Gregory!

Gotta love this stuff!

Fig. 7 reminds me of the XB-70 !

What a neat concept drawing that one would make !

 

[XP67_Moonbat]

Perhaps, since the XB-70 was a part of Rockwell's heritage anyway, somebody working on this 1993 study took a look back at the data from that program for possible re-application. Makes sense, right? Just my two cents here.

Moonbat

 

[OM]

....Amazing how after the mess the D-21 made, they were still considering launching from between the tailfins of a Habu.

 

[dickie]

....Amazing how after the mess the D-21 made, they were still considering launching from between the tailfins of a Habu.

doubt they would have made much progress in that venture anyway.

 

[shockonlip]

....Amazing how after the mess the D-21 made, they were still considering launching from between the tailfins of a Habu.

There's always a way.
Engineers love problems to solve.

Sometimes it's easier to mount the drone topside, and the flow there may be better as well.

I can think of a few approaches.

 

[Orionblamblam]

....Amazing how after the mess the D-21 made, they were still considering launching from between the tailfins of a Habu.

There's always a way.
Engineers love problems to solve.

Go inverted just before separation. There. Problem solved.

 

[shockonlip]

YES! That's one !
It may help to mount it upside down on the pylon too, but that's extra credit.

I can think of several others as well.

One is just plumb simple - launch subsonically.