Hypersonic drone was attached to the largest aircraft: how will it help to knock down rockets

Engineers want to experience a liquid rocket engine that can develop a speed that is six times higher than the sound speed. The Talon-A hypersonic drone has undergone flight tests with the largest aircraft in the world-ROC, whose wingspan is 117 m. This was reported by Stratolaunch Development on its site. This flight was the twelfth for the ROC and the first when the Talon nose with battle fuel as part of preparation for the first Tlon-A flight equipped with a liquid rocket engine.

The flight lasted 3 hours 22 minutes. The main goal was to evaluate the motor's motility using combat fuel. The second goal was to test the lateral telemetry systems of the ROC and drone, which provide situational awareness to ensure that all systems are ready to fly with the engine during starting. Dr.

Zakari Krevor, CEO of Stratolaunch, said: "Although we conducted some successful ground tests, refueling and launching the system, we needed to evaluate how the system works in flight conditions before releasing it. The initial results of today's flight are shown. that the system worked as expected. " According to The Sun tabloid, engineers have decided to use Talon-A as a target to simulate the threat of hypersonic missiles to train the military.

Yes, last week the company signed a contract with Leidos - the main contractor of the US Navy. As part of this Agreement, five hypersonic flights of UAV Talon-A were financed. In essence, the ROC will become a platform for delivery Talon-A and other vehicles to the optimum height before launching them in flight to execute the mission. In parallel with UAV tests, Stratolaunch started production of TA-2 and TA-3 drones in Talon-A products.