The Defense Department spends billions of dollars placing bets on new technologies every year. This gallery explores some of the Air Force efforts that pushed the boundaries of physics. Some, such as the XF-103, reached so far it was canceled altogether. The design of other projects, such as the X-20, live on in the commercial space vehicles we see today.
The Defense Department spends billions of dollars placing bets on new technologies every year. This gallery explores some of the Air Force efforts that pushed the boundaries of physics. Some, such as the XF-103, reached so far it was canceled altogether. The design of other projects, such as the X-20, live on in the commercial space vehicles we see today.
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This work took place at the purpose built, CANEL, facility in Middletown Conn. Which is today Pratts primary final engine assembly facility.
It launched an AIM-47 at 74,000ft and mach 3.2, and hit a target drone flying at 500 ft. Still impressive even today. This system led directly to the vaunted AN/AWG-9 in the F-14.