The U.S. Air Force announced Friday, May 3, 2013, its X-51A Waverider missile has achieved the longest hypersonic flight in history, flying for three and a half minutes on scramjet power at more than five times the speed of sound. The final flight of the unmanned aircraft built by Boeing reached Mach 5.1 over the Pacific Ocean on May 1. It traveled over 230 nautical miles in just over six minutes.
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| The X-51A Waverider prepares to launch its historic fourth and final flight. The cruiser achieved Mach 5.1 traveling 230 nautical miles in just over six minutes, making this test the longest air-breathing hypersonic flight ever. (U.S. Air Force photo/Bobbi Zapka) |
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