Hypersonic X-51 Fails In Latest Test
X-51A Mach 5 Testing (Source: Wikipedia)
AviationWeek is reporting that the latest trial of the X-51 hypersonic experimental aircraft has failed again. This news has been confirmed by a number of sources. Apparently one of the fins stabilizing the craft failed to function correctly, and the vehicle was lost over the Pacific. The sad thing is that they were never able to even start the scramjet. The USAF apparently has one prototype left, but they’re unsure whether they’ll fly it yet. The test was an attempt to remedy the failure of last year which received much publicity. It looks again like jetsetting American hamsters will have to wait longer for their x-51 enabled short hop to Tokyo.
Airbus A320 to Be Equipped With Hydrogen Fuel Cells for Increased Efficiency
Airbus A320 to Be Equipped With Hydrogen Fuel Cells for Increased Efficiency (via The Green Optimistic)
Though the hydrogen fuel cells used nowadays are not powerful enough that commercial aircraft engines can be replaced by them, it doesn’t mean that they are not effective enough to make air travel more efficient. Airbus flight tests have shown 15% decreases in fuel consumption. The environmental…
Transformed X-48C Flies Successfully
Transformed X-48C Flies Successfully (via PR Newswire)
EDWARDS AFB, Calif., Aug. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ – The remotely piloted X-48C aircraft successfully flew for the first time Tuesday at Edwards Air Force Base in California’s Mojave Desert. The aircraft, designed by The Boeing Co. and built by Cranfield Aerospace Limited of the United Kingdom…
F-22 Oxygen Problems Identified. Pentagon solves mystery.
Why have F-22 pilots passed out at the controls? Pentagon solves mystery. (via The Christian Science Monitor)
Why have US military pilots been passing out at the controls of their F-22 fighter jets? That has been the mystery vexing Pentagon officials for more than a year. On Tuesday, they announced the results of a wide-ranging investigation into dangerous malfunctions surrounding the most expensive fighter…
Boeing launches probe after ‘engine issue’
Boeing said it had launched an investigation after an “engine issue” hit a test flight of the 787 Dreamliner a day earlier in South Carolina.
AFP (http://s.tt/1jnaG)
