The Need for Speed

<p>Transformation to the next level of technology is a pressing issue for the Air Force's strategic planers. Just how much of a leap in technology do engineers try to take when designing a new system? The answer depends if new discoveries have increased the technology available when they design a new system. However it makes little sense to build new equipment that does not provide an improved capability or a more reliable system. That being said the next long-range strike platform could take that technological leap and be a very fast near-space vehicle. Past events such as the 2004 X-43 launch show that technological progress is occurring on critical hypersonic components. While this is not a paper on the technology per se it covers the implications of building and operating a hypersonic bomber force. This paper addresses the question of whether or not the hypersonic bomber is worth the required investment and covers several aspects involved with hypersonic bomber operations.</p><p>This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore you will see the original copyright references library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world) and other notations in the work.</p><p>This work is in the public domain in the United States of America and possibly other nations. Within the United States you may freely copy and distribute this work as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.</p><p>As a reproduction of a historical artifact this work may contain missing or blurred pages poor pictures errant marks etc. Scholars believe and we concur that this work is important enough to be preserved reproduced and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.</p><br>