Review and Evaluation of the Air Force Hypersonic Technology Program.

The Air Force requested the National Research Council to examine the Hypersonic Technology HyTech Program managed by the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. A committee with the necessary expertise was formed to respond to a statement of task that asked a series of questions to determine if a Mach 8, hydrocarbon-fueled, scramjet-powered, air-launched cruise missile could be developed by the Air Force to reach an initial operational capability by the year 2015. It was the conclusion by the committee that this type of weapons system could be developed by that date, but not as a result of the effort being applied within the HyTech Program. That program was reduced due to funding limitations to a technology base program to support the propulsion component of the missile only. Many other enabling technologies such as materials, guidance and control, and warhead development would require similar emphasis under a coordinated development program that includes necessary flight testing. In the report, the committee offers its plan for accomplishing the necessary steps to achieve an initial operational capability for the missile by 2015.