Aurora: is it real?

[DONTREADMYUSERNAME]

No, not a bomber, it is supposedly a spy plane.
Another reason why I don't think it exists is that its capabilities are no longer what is required of a reconnaissance aircraft. Due to the nature of current conflicts, a plane that that watch an area of a long period of time is much more valuable to us than a plane that can take a few photos and leave (possible one reason that the -71 was retired). Because of this, UAVs like the Predator and Global Hawk were developed because they can sit over a target for 12-24 hours continuously taking and transmitting real-time video... and they don't get tired.

Also, I find it highly unlikey that any manned aircraft could hit Mach 6, or anything even remotely close. The X-43 hit approximately Mach 10, but that was basically an engine with wings. I think it is impossible with current technology to achieve Mach 10 with an aircraft of significant size.

Another reason the SR-71/ A-12 was retired was due to increasing numbers of spy satilites that could do many times more work.

Maybe we are being mislead to think it is a spy plane, maybe its just a cover story for a new long range, high speed, high altitude, bomber???



Then again, it may just be a hoax...

[specter177]

Also, I find it highly unlikey that any manned aircraft could hit Mach 6, or anything even remotely close. The X-43 hit approximately Mach 10, but that was basically an engine with wings. I think it is impossible with current technology to achieve Mach 10 with an aircraft of significant size.

The X-15 went Mach 6.5, and that was manned.

[DaveSims]

I'm not sure if the X-15 was considered an aircraft or a space ship.  It did hit Mach 6.5, but was nothing more than a ballistic missile with a person strapped to the nose.

[Ivan]

Another reason the SR-71/ A-12 was retired was due to increasing numbers of spy satilites that could do many times more work.

Maybe we are being mislead to think it is a spy plane, maybe its just a cover story for a new long range, high speed, high altitude, bomber???



Then again, it may just be a hoax...

Planes are never retired when they still have some use.
Only exception is the F-14 which was retired for political and tactical reasons (prevention of friendly fire accidents in a possible upcoming conflict)

You simply cant tell the taxpayer that you got rid of your #1 recce plane whitout having a replacement. SR-71s and A-12s were kept secret for a long time and first didnt appear at all on the airforce inventory list (as they were owned by the CIA)

And to make things more confusing... some 'SR-71s' are actually A-12s with modified recce kit... The designator mixed up when the ownership was changed and the differences between the airframes are minor.

I think it is impossible with current technology to achieve Mach 10 with an aircraft of significant size.

PWDE, Ramjets... Pre WW2 (ramjet, loads of soviet resarch done on these in the 1930s) and WW2 era (PWDE, V-1 engine) stuff that is capable of going faster than normal jet engines

[Anxyous]

The SCRAM jet powered X-43A managed around Mach 5 in tests.

The project stopped I think... Because of lack of funding or something.

But if research had continued, the developers believed it would've achieved at least Mach 7-8.

SCRAM jets are awesome...

And now all this pulse detonation engine and stuff comes up...

[loomex]

And to make things more confusing... some 'SR-71s' are actually A-12s with modified recce kit... The designator mixed up when the ownership was changed and the differences between the airframes are minor.

I beg to differ. I studied both Aircraft closely during my tour at the USAF museum in Dayton, Ohio
Note the round nose and the main body has a slightly rounded look to it.
Below, the Chines come all the way up to the nose and the main body is concave and slowly starts to bow out just past the engine intakes.


Some one had mentioned earlier an SR-71 was lost when a drone was released. It was in fact the M-12, a modified A-12

[Slotback]

They're both extremely similar, but still, not quiet the same.

[CaptainXion]

Well, if someone was going to make it for Flight Sim, how would you reach Mach 20? Flight sim has a speed limit. Can you turn it off?

[Vuikag]

I always liked skunk works, they come up with some pretty neato stuff.