Rockwell International hypersonic research vehicle (HRV) - 1993

[flateric]

Seems to be Rockwell International's very own HALO study. Interesting how vehicle shape would be close to factual RI X-30 NASP proposal.

"...a concept for a
hypersonic research vehicle using waveriding
aerodynamics. Both hydrogen and hydrocarbon fuels are
considered. Tradeoffs are made on acceleration
approaches and launch concepts.
This study resulted in a hypersonic research vehicle
(HRV) concept with the capability of hypersonic flight
testing up to Mach 14. This vehicle, air launched at Mach
3 from a NASA SR-71, provides hypersonic testing up to
Mach 10. Air launched from the NB-52 at Mach 0.8 with
an external booster, the same vehicle can be tested up to
Mach 14. The HRV can be powered with either
hydrocarbon or hydrogen scramjets.
The HRV provides a near-term approach for obtaining
hypersonic flight data and testing advanced systems under
real flight conditions"

 

[flateric]

Final hydrocarbon and H2-fueled HRV configurations, vehicle acceleration concepts and NB-52 Mach 14 mission profile.

 

[shockonlip]

Thanks Gregory!

Gotta love this stuff!

Fig. 7 reminds me of the XB-70 !

What a neat concept drawing that one would make !

 

[XP67_Moonbat]

Perhaps, since the XB-70 was a part of Rockwell's heritage anyway, somebody working on this 1993 study took a look back at the data from that program for possible re-application. Makes sense, right? Just my two cents here.

Moonbat

 

[OM]

....Amazing how after the mess the D-21 made, they were still considering launching from between the tailfins of a Habu.

 

[dickie]

....Amazing how after the mess the D-21 made, they were still considering launching from between the tailfins of a Habu.

doubt they would have made much progress in that venture anyway.

 

[shockonlip]

....Amazing how after the mess the D-21 made, they were still considering launching from between the tailfins of a Habu.

There's always a way.
Engineers love problems to solve.

Sometimes it's easier to mount the drone topside, and the flow there may be better as well.

I can think of a few approaches.

 

[Orionblamblam]

....Amazing how after the mess the D-21 made, they were still considering launching from between the tailfins of a Habu.

There's always a way.
Engineers love problems to solve.

Go inverted just before separation. There. Problem solved.

 

[shockonlip]

YES! That's one !
It may help to mount it upside down on the pylon too, but that's extra credit.

I can think of several others as well.

One is just plumb simple - launch subsonically.

 

[SpaceMonk]

In 1993, Rockwell International developed a hypersonic research vehicle (HRV) to advance aerospace technology, providing a platform for flight tests up to Mach 14. The HRV was designed to test propulsion systems, materials, and configurations in real-world conditions.

The HRV featured a modular design for testing various propulsion systems, including hydrocarbon-fueled scramjets and hydrogen engines. The hydrocarbon version could reach Mach 10 when air-launched from the SR71 at Mach 3, while the hydrogen variant could reach Mach 14 using an external booster, such as the Pegasus rocket, launched from the NB52. These air-launch methods offered flexibility and reduced costs compared to ground-based launches.

The HRV’s waverider design used its shockwave to generate lift, allowing efficient hypersonic flight. Engineers optimized the lift-to-drag ratio, balancing aerodynamic performance with structural needs, achieving a ratio around 7.7, effective for sustained speeds.

The HRV's structure included advanced materials like carbon-carbon composites in critical areas to withstand the extreme thermal environments at hypersonic velocities. The airframe had sophisticated control surfaces, including twin tails for pitch and yaw control, and ailerons for roll adjustments, allowing for various engines and experimental systems to be tested.

Testing scenarios included launches from the SR71 for Mach 10 missions, utilizing scramjets for extended data-gathering during flight. For Mach 14, the vehicle was boosted by external rockets, briefly cruising to collect vital propulsion and aerodynamic data. These tests were crucial for understanding the real-world performance of scramjets, propulsion integration, and addressing high-speed flight challenges.

The HRV reduced risks in developing future hypersonic vehicles by providing flight data unavailable in ground tests. It offered insights into high-speed aerodynamics, propulsion, and material behavior under extreme conditions, supporting U.S. aerospace leadership in hypersonic technology. The HRV was more than an experiment; it was a strategic asset for validating the technologies shaping the future of hypersonic flight.