// ORBITAL LOGISTICS AND PROPULSION TERM

Hypersonic

Refers to speeds that are five times the speed of sound (Mach 5) or greater, where aerodynamic heating and shockwave phenomena become very significant.

TECHNICAL DEFINITION

Pertaining to flight regimes at speeds equal to or greater than Mach 5, characterized by extreme aerodynamic heating, high-temperature gas dynamics, and significant shockwave interactions, requiring specialized materials and vehicle designs for sustained operation.

BACKGROUND

Northrop Grumman Corporation, headquartered in West Falls Church, Virginia, is an American aerospace and defense company that designs and manufactures systems for aeronautics, defense, missions, and space. The company is the 5th largest contractor of the U.S. federal government; it receives over 2% of total spending by the federal government of the United States on contractors.

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SYNONYMS & ALIASES

  • Ultra-high Speed
  • Mach 5+
  • Super-fast
  • Extreme Velocity

USAGE NOTE

Developing hypersonic propulsion and materials is a key focus for advanced aerospace research.

DEVELOPERS

Organizations developing technology related to Hypersonic.

  • Lockheed Martin

    A global security and aerospace company known for its work on advanced aeronautics, including the SR-71 Blackbird and ongoing development of various hypersonic strike and defense systems.

  • Northrop Grumman

    A leading global aerospace and defense technology company involved in designing, developing, and manufacturing hypersonic vehicles and propulsion systems.

  • Raytheon Technologies (now RTX)

    A major aerospace and defense company with significant investments in hypersonic weapon development, including air-breathing and boost-glide systems.

  • Boeing

    A multinational corporation that designs, manufactures, and sells airplanes, rotorcraft, rockets, satellites, and is active in hypersonic research and development for both military and commercial applications.

  • Aerojet Rocketdyne (now part of L3Harris Technologies)

    A major American manufacturer of rocket, missile, and spacecraft propulsion systems, developing advanced propulsion technologies critical for hypersonic flight.

  • Hermes

    A start-up focused on developing hypersonic aircraft for fast global cargo and potentially passenger transport, leveraging advanced propulsion and materials.

  • Reaction Engines

    A British aerospace company developing SABRE, an air-breathing rocket engine capable of propelling aircraft to hypersonic speeds and into orbit, using pre-cooler technology.

  • DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency)

    A U.S. government agency responsible for the development of emerging technologies for use by the military, funding numerous hypersonic research and prototype programs.

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