SR-72: US secret hypersonic jet to allegedly break sound barrier in 2025 | Believed to be a top-secret project of the US Air Force, the SR-72 is touted to reach over 4,000 mph (6,437 kph), making i…::undefined

  • mojofrododojo@lemmy.world
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    6 months ago

    yep. you could hide from radar, but thermals or acoustics would give you away. if you’re trucking mach 5 leading edge friction alone might give you away even if you’re coated with RAM and aerogels and magic dope.

    I suspect it’s just Lockheed wringing more ‘magic’ out of the skunkwork’s legacy. I don’t doubt the aircraft will be awesome, but like the f22, it’ll be limited by physics and budgets and we’ll wonder what the competing runner-up would do better/cheaper/faster.

    See: YF23 heh.

    That said I really do hope the Skunworks is still making magic we just aren’t cleared for, and maintain the Kelly Johnson / Ben Rich legacy of hits.