[Gadgest] Rocket Lab and Hypersonix test DART AE aircraft at over 8,600 km/h to test hypersonic weapons

[Draeno]

 

Rocket Lab has recently announced the development of a new rocket for suborbital hypersonic launches. It's called a Hypersonic Accelerator Suborbital Test Electron (HASTE). The rocket will be used to test the DART AE hypersonic aircraft.

this is what we know
Last month, the US Department of Defense signed a contract with Hypersonix Launch Systems to develop a high-speed test aircraft. It will be used within the framework of the HyCAT (Hypersonic and High-Cadence Airborne Testabilities) programme.

The plane is called DART AE. Hypersonix is developing the aircraft in Australia. It will measure 2.8 meters long and will reach a top speed of Mach 7 (8,643.6 km/h) thanks to a straight-through SPARTAN engine.

According to a new press release posted on the Hypersonix Launch Systems website, the DART AE has a range of 1,000 km. Previously a range of 500 km was indicated.

At this stage of development, the DART AE cannot take off on its own. For that, HASTE will be used. A rocket from Rocket Lab will allow the DART AE to reach its operational speed (Mach 5 / 6174 km/h).

Hypersonix experts plan to check the engine's performance and acceleration during testing. Engineers are also interested in hypersonic flight data.

 

 

 

https://gagadget.com/es/237844-rocket-lab-e-hypersonix-prueban-un-avion-dart-ae-a-mas-de-8600-kmh-para-ensayar-armas-hipersonicas/