Since the days of the Cold War, the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird has been the unrivaled king of the skies, streaking across the heavens at Mach 3.3. Yet, today’s aerospace innovators are not just aiming to match this iconic record—they’re planning to smash it.

Among these modern-day Icaruses, Hermeus and Lockheed Martin are leading the charge, testing the limits of technology to achieve hypersonic travel.

The Hermeus has been grabbing headlines with their Quarterhorse aircraft. Just this week, the company announced a significant step in the development of its hypersonic technology. The Quarterhorse Mk 1, which will later be followed by the Mk 2, features a precooler technology developed by Hermeus.

This cutting-edge system has the potential to lower incoming air temperatures and enable the Mk 2 to reach speeds over Mach 2.5. But Hermeus doesn’t plan to stop there.

The Mk 3 is designed to shoot past Mach 4, with a long-term target of a piloted craft capable of exceeding Mach 5, cementing its place as the fastest aircraft in history.

The Darkhorse, as Hermeus calls it, will be the testbed to challenge the SR-71’s speed record, while the Halcyon is poised to be a passenger aircraft that would make trans-oceanic flights in a blink, with routes like New York to London taking a mere 90 minutes.

Lockheed Martin, no stranger to this arena, has its sights set on the SR-72, often dubbed the “Son of Blackbird.” Its purpose? Surveillance, intelligence, and reconnaissance at speeds over Mach 5, making it a potential game-changer for national security.

The original Blackbird, designed to fly above 70,000 feet and outrun missiles, was an engineering marvel. Its successor promises to be even more formidable, with an ambition to take to the skies in 2025.

Meanwhile, industry titan Boeing is not sitting this dance out. They’ve unveiled a concept for a hypersonic strike and reconnaissance aircraft, which could eventually exceed Mach 5. Boeing’s approach incorporates a combined-cycle engine that marries turbine and ramjet/scramjet technologies, indicating a dedication to a reusable, efficient design.

All three companies are working within the framework set by the Defense Innovation Unit’s High-Cadence Airborne Testing Capabilities program. The stakes are high and the competition fierce.

With the military’s gaze firmly fixed on these developments, these aircraft are set to redefine air travel, both for military prowess and civilian convenience.

The race to hypersonic is as much about technical innovation as it is about strategic dominance. These developments are not just significant in terms of breaking records; they signal a shift in military capabilities, opening new frontiers for rapid response and reconnaissance.

To be clear, the journey to hypersonic is no small feat. There are innumerable technical hurdles, such as developing engines that can transition seamlessly from turbojet to ramjet propulsion.

Moreover, these aircraft will have to handle the intense heat generated at these extreme speeds, challenging our current understanding of aerodynamics and materials science.

As these companies chase the ghost of the Blackbird, surpassing its legendary speed is more than a nod to the past—it’s a sprint into a future where the roar of hypersonic aircraft could be as common as the commercial jets of today.

Relevant articles:
– Testing Begins on Combined Cycle Engine That’ll Grow to Challenge SR-71 Blackbird Record, autoevolution
– Lockheed Martin SR-72 Son of Blackbird or Darkstar: What We Know Right Now, nationalinterest.org
– “Son of Blackbird”: Boeing Reveals Hypersonic Concept That Could Replace SR-71, Popular Mechanics
– Quarterhorse Mk 0 takes first steps toward breaking SR-71 speed record, New Atlas