XS1 Comment

The timing of this from DARPA is worth looking into.

DARPA is effectually the US governments tool to explore mainly "black" military projects as such it will have a good idea of the current status of hypersonic research. (See HTV-2)

But in the latest round of funding for DARPA the whole Hypersonic research value was questioned. (HASC Subcommittee)

Hypersonic's in the non "black" world has seen many billions of US dollars pumped into it, mainly into ram and scram jet propulsion. One thing that has come from a lot of this research is the complexity of resolving heating problems with hypersonic planes.

Boeing just completed the X51 hypersonic cruise missile (WaveRider) up to the speed of Mach 5.1 during 2003-2013 but the follow on Blackswift hypersonic program was cancelled.

SpaceX has been rocking the boat of late, suing its client USA Air force to have the chance to compete fairly for military launches.

So who would be the winners or losers?

Boeing will be put in a very difficult situation.

If Boeing does nothing it will end up losing. For many years it has had lucrative cost plus contracts but has failed to do its own research with the vast profits it has made with Lockheed Martin it other partner with its "United Launch Alliance" ULA Rockets.

Blue Origin will make a good contribution but have never flow anything similar, The Blue Shepherd rocket is still to prove itself.

Northrop Grumman working on its TR-106/7 engine may give it an interesting contribution. What Virgin Galactic bring to the table is questionable.

Masten Space Systems (working with XCOR Aerospace) both smaller but both have a level of relevant expertise they will do well at the first level of DARPA funding but will be unlikely be able to go forward to the demonstration phase. Now Canceled.