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An unmanned hypersonic glider developed for U.S. defense research into super-fast global strike capability was launched atop a rocket early Thursday

but contact was lost after the experimental craft began flying on its own, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency said. There was no immediate

information on how much of the mission's goals were achieved. The launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base, 130 miles northwest of Los Angeles, was the

second of two planned flights of a Falcon Hypersonic Technology Vehicle-2. Contact was also lost during the first mission.

Shaped like the tip of a spear, the small craft is part of a U.S. military initiative to develop technology to respond to threats at 20 times the speed of sound or greater, reaching any part of the globe in an hour.
The HTV-2 is designed to be launched to the edge of space, separate from its booster and maneuver through the atmosphere at 13,000 mph (21,000 kph) [glow=yellow,2,300]before intentionally crashing into the ocean.[/glow]

So it's hello water instead of ground. Hmm, now where was that last Tsunami?

Shaped like the tip of a spear, the small craft is part of a U.S. military initiative to develop technology to respond to threats at 20 times the speed of sound or greater, reaching any part of the globe in an hour.
The HTV-2 is designed to be launched to the edge of space, separate from its booster and maneuver through the atmosphere at 13,000 mph (21,000 kph) [glow=yellow,2,300]before intentionally crashing into the ocean.[/glow]

So it's hello water instead of ground. Hmm, now where was that last Tsunami?

Hmmm. Lost control at speeds between 17 and 22 times the speed of sound & plunged into the ocean. Sounds bloody dangerous & irresponsible to me. Typical scientists. Remind me to cancel that Pacific cruise.

Serves them right, not having a pilot aboard... i know, it would have cost 10 times as much to man-rate it...