Did the US peak with the SR-71?

[ShotgunSteven]

Originally posted by: TerryMathews

Originally posted by: ShotgunSteven

Originally posted by: JEDI
duh.. ditanium is next.. the precursor to tritanium

back to op's post:
i would say the space shuttle is the peak. and that is not a compliment.

it's been ~20yrs since the space shuttles were built, and we dont even have anything on the drawing board for the next gen of aircraft.

and dont give me "but how about the Raptors?" Just how much better are the Raptors over the F15 Eagles to justify it's cost?

According to the pilots that test flew them in mock combat, it is no contest. 1 F-22 Raptor > Multiple F-15 Eagles.

Without question. The F/A-22 is more manoeverable, more stealthy (read survivable), faster*, and has a longer range for both cruising and CAP profiles.

*The F-15 can fly faster than the F/A-22 in very short bursts.

The F/A-22 is going to go operational, it's not going to be cancelled. Too much money has been invested, and too many people are currently working on the project to cancel it now.

To get back on topic though, the only thing that mothballed the SR-71 is the collapse of the Soviet Union. None of the countries we consider to be 'hostile' ATM have the capability to shoot down a modern U-2, something which is more economical to fly. Should China or NK become more hostile though, the SR-71s are ready to come back into service.

It's the only plane where a valid SAM evasion technique is 'go faster'.

Yes, I doubt the cancellation as well. In fact, Elmendorf Air Force Base here in Alaska is receiving some F-22's in the near future. This was brought out at the B.R.A.C. hearing I attended for Eielson Air Force Base.

 

[suicidalpigeon]

Originally posted by: PhasmatisNox
I guarantee that there are at least two more planes in service and five in development that we don't know about.

so is computer technology undergoing the same things hidden by the government? like SATA VIII?

 

[OffTopic1]

FYI, Puslejet != PDE.

Pulsejets are dead simple, I could build one from stuff around the house. PDE's on the other hand...

KISS is use for mass production at war time, therefore the vales are simple and easy to make. Just imagine what the German would have today if they have an extra 60 years to improve it.

The V1 engine was a deflagration design engine and is about 1/2 as efficient as the PDE, but it is the beginning principle for modern/concept PDE.

 

[raildogg]

they have technology which ordinary humans cannot even dream of. Lockheed Martin and others military conglomerates are testing out of this world technologies. I believe the ex-Lockheed CEO said they have technologies which are 40 or 50 years in advance. but we won't see it. it is a big secret

just like area-51

we know its there, but they won't tell us about it.

there is more to avionic advancements than we can see

also, the future fighter jets and bombers will likely be pilot-less

 

[91TTZ]

Originally posted by: cruiser1338
Dude this is my forte. There's (apparently) a new plane called the Aurora. It uses a new form of propulsion called pulse detonation wave engine. It sets off a sound wave, and then the plane rides the edge of that wave (or something like that).

Dude, if long-dispelled rumors are the best info you have, then that's certainly not your forte.

 

[91TTZ]

Originally posted by: cruiser1338
Joe, you may or may not believe it, but the aliens are here, helping us along the way. Call me crazy, but there's someone out there, and they found us. They'll have new ways to strengthen materials, maybe even make them from nothing. We haven't run out of materials to use, and we'll never run out of new ideas.

In the previous post I thought you were crazy. Now I know you're crazy.

 

[OffTopic1]

Originally posted by: raildogg
they have technology which ordinary humans cannot even dream of. Lockheed Martin and others military conglomerates are testing out of this world technologies. I believe the ex-Lockheed CEO said they have technologies which are 40 or 50 years in advance. but we won't see it. it is a big secret

just like area-51

we know its there, but they won't tell us about it.

there is more to avionic advancements than we can see

also, the future fighter jets and bombers will likely be pilot-less

[tinhat=ON] Yeah! Bigbrother also have flying saucers ready for takeoff at any given moment.

 

[alien42]

Originally posted by: 91TTZ

Originally posted by: cruiser1338
Dude this is my forte. There's (apparently) a new plane called the Aurora. It uses a new form of propulsion called pulse detonation wave engine. It sets off a sound wave, and then the plane rides the edge of that wave (or something like that).

Dude, if long-dispelled rumors are the best info you have, then that's certainly not your forte.

if this isnt proof of the aurora then i dont know what is

 

[imported_yetti]

The connection was refused while trying to connect to home.no.net.

 

[91TTZ]

Originally posted by: Mrvile

Originally posted by: So

Originally posted by: pmoa
wait till you see the f-22 JSF joint strike fighter....that northrop and the government is working on

The F22 and the joint strike fighter (f-35) are two completely indepenent planes.

Right. The F-22 project is going to be cancelled (they were too expensive, and they kept crashing), and the F-35 will take its place. The F-35 keeps the same general structure. And none of them fly near the speed of the SR-71, so nothing to be excited about.

The F-22 is not being cancelled. The planes fill two completely different roles. The F-22 fills the role of the F-15, and the JSF will replace the F-16/Harrier.

 

[91TTZ]

Originally posted by: So
Pulsejets are dead simple, I could build one from stuff around the house. PDE's on the other hand...

My dad built one a while back. Never had an airplane to put it in, though.

 

[bunker]

http://www.fas.org/irp/mystery/aurora.htm

 

[GTaudiophile]

I am quite sure the US military has at least a FEW toys not even we here at ATOT know about...

 

[QuitBanningMe]

No we didn't peak.

The newest aircraft fly using magnets.

Simplified and no doubt won't be believed but you will actually see them in 30-40 years (they already exist).

 

[91TTZ]

Originally posted by: QuitBanningMe
No we didn't peak.

The newest aircraft fly using magnets.

Simplified and no doubt won't be believed but you will actually see them in 30-40 years (they already exist).

Magnets? lol

 

[Last Rezort]

Originally posted by: JoeKing
It's been almost 40 years since the Blackbird was introduced, and officially the SR-71 has been retired since '97. No plane we know of has flown even close to that envelope.

Has supersonic speed peaked with the the Blackbird?

SR 71 is also i weed i smoked tonight

 

[QuitBanningMe]

Originally posted by: 91TTZ

Originally posted by: QuitBanningMe
No we didn't peak.

The newest aircraft fly using magnets.

Simplified and no doubt won't be believed but you will actually see them in 30-40 years (they already exist).

Magnets? lol

I said simplified.

 

[everman]

no no, these days they're using flying penguins. You kinda harness them like raindeer, only they're obviously stealthier and faster.

 

[OffTopic1]

Pulse Detonation Engine Research --

 

[Jamie571]

Originally posted by: 91TTZ

Originally posted by: Mrvile

Originally posted by: So

Originally posted by: pmoa
wait till you see the f-22 JSF joint strike fighter....that northrop and the government is working on

The F22 and the joint strike fighter (f-35) are two completely indepenent planes.

Right. The F-22 project is going to be cancelled (they were too expensive, and they kept crashing), and the F-35 will take its place. The F-35 keeps the same general structure. And none of them fly near the speed of the SR-71, so nothing to be excited about.

The F-22 is not being cancelled. The planes fill two completely different roles. The F-22 fills the role of the F-15, and the JSF will replace the F-16/Harrier.

91TTZ is correct currently Lockheed Martin is building 30 planes a year at a price of around 97 millon each. I believe the current fleet is over 50 planes ( 3 squads at Tyndall AFB) and it's likely to see it in the next US conflict. Currently 46 states provide parts for the plane. The most under-rated feature is the computer system. Its targeting system scans targets, chooses the right weapons and can also auto pilot the attack plan. During a test between one F22 and 5 F15's, all the F15's were shot down with out even seeing the F22. Since it is completely invisible to radar, your basically screwed because you dont have any indication on where to visually look for the plane.

The F22 is superior to the Joint Strike Fighter or F35. The F35 is much cheaper to build (single engine, small frame, and about half the computing power of the F22) and will be offered for sale to any Nato country willing to pay for it. The F22 will not be offered to other countries. I believe the F35 cost about half of the price of the F22.

The problem with developing new technologies, is the extremely high cost that continues to rise every year. The F22 program will cost the US about 64 billon dollars!

 

[Tsunami982]

Originally posted by: PhasmatisNox
I guarantee that there are at least two more planes in service and five in development that we don't know about.

exactly, i mean people didnt know about the SR-71 when it first came out.

also, the US is no longer in an arms race so there isnt that sense of urgency to produce something like the SR-71 anymore. we are now geared towards jack of all trades vehicles.

and 64 billion dollars sounds about right. an f22, during testing, averaged 8-10 kills before even been seen, and that was against f15's which are arguably best air superiority fighter currently active. we have no ideal how the world landscape will be in the next 30-40 years, america might have a rival (most likely china) by then. having something that lethal is a big deterent against aggression. also, military advancements usually trickle down to benefit consumers eventually, especially in aeronautics.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: Jamie571
The F22 program will cost the US about 64 billon dollars!

LOL!

And you all bitch about giving Africa 50 billion?

I mean, not that an awesome fighter jet isn't .. awesome. But I still find it kinda funny.

 

[QuitBanningMe]

Originally posted by: Eli

Originally posted by: Jamie571
The F22 program will cost the US about 64 billon dollars!

LOL!

And you all bitch about giving Africa 50 billion?

I mean, not that an awesome fighter jet isn't .. awesome. But I still find it kinda funny.

We could use it to decrease the need for African aid..........................much better investment.............

 

[hemiram]

Originally posted by: Mrvile

Originally posted by: So

Originally posted by: pmoa
wait till you see the f-22 JSF joint strike fighter....that northrop and the government is working on

The F22 and the joint strike fighter (f-35) are two completely indepenent planes.

Right. The F-22 project is going to be cancelled (they were too expensive, and they kept crashing), and the F-35 will take its place. The F-35 keeps the same general structure. And none of them fly near the speed of the SR-71, so nothing to be excited about.

Wrong again,

The F22 is pretty close to being deployed and the F35 has nothing, repeat nothing to do with it, it's a cheaper plane all around. They are both FIGHTERS not surveilance planes so they don't compare to the SR71.

I would be really shocked if they haven't had a replacement for the Sr71 flying for some time now.

 

[JoeKing]

Originally posted by: alien42
i would still bet money that scramjets will become a viable reality within my lifetime. the x43a set a new world speed record of for jet-powered aircraft of mach 9.6 less then a year ago.


comparing the x43 to the sr71:

"In March 2004, the X-43A set the previous record of Mach 6.8 (nearly 5,000 mph). The fastest air-breathing, manned vehicle, the U.S. Air Force SR-71, achieved slightly more than Mach 3.2. The X-43A more than doubled, then tripled, the top speed of the jet-powered SR-71."

I suddenly feel funny in a wierd place.

Wow I haven't heard anything about the X34a until now. Thanks!