X51A

X51A refers to an experimental hypersonic vehicle developed by the United States Air Force. The program aimed to test technologies for a scramjet-powered aircraft capable of sustained hypersonic flight. The X51A, also known as the Waverider, was designed to fly at speeds exceeding Mach 5, which is five times the speed of sound.

The vehicle was powered by a scramjet engine, which is a type of jet engine that operates at supersonic and hypersonic speeds. Unlike traditional jet engines, scramjets do not have moving parts and rely on the high speed of incoming air to compress it. The X51A program conducted several test flights between 2010 and 2013.

The goal of these flights was to gather data on the performance of the scramjet engine and the overall aerodynamics of the hypersonic vehicle. While some tests were successful, others encountered technical challenges, leading to the program's conclusion. The data and experience gained from the X51A program have been valuable for future research and development in hypersonic technologies. The knowledge acquired is intended to inform the design of future high-speed aircraft and weapons systems.