Review and Evaluation of the Air Force Hypersonic Technology Program

This study was undertaken in response to a request by the U.S.

Air Force that the National Research Council (NRC) examine whether the technologies that underlie the concept of a hypersonic, air-launched, air-breathing, hydrocarbon-fueled missile with speeds up to Mach 81 can be demonstrated in time to be initially operational by 2015.

To conduct the study, the NRC appointed the Committee on Review and Evaluation of the Air Force Hypersonic Technology Program, under the auspices of the Air Force Science and Technology Board. Table of ContentsFRONT MATTEREXECUTIVE SUMMARY1 INTRODUCTION2 RESPONSES TO PARTS 1 AND 2 OF THE STATEMENT OF TASK3 OTHER APPLICATIONS OF HYPERSONIC TECHNOLOGIES4 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONSREFERENCESA COMMITTEE MEETINGS AND OTHER ACTIVITIESB AIR FORCE HYPERSONIC TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMC ANALYSIS OF THE VULNERABILITY OF A HYPERSONIC MISSILE TOSURFACE-TO-AIR DEFENSIVE MISSILESGLOSSARY