Defense

Hypersonic Jet crashes

Why did the X-51 crash into the Pacific? The military is investigating why the Waverider, designed to fly at six times the speed of sound went down off the coas...

Federal News Radio Custom Media@WTOPWFEDcustom

August 17, 2012 10:41 am

< a min read

Why did the X-51 crash into the Pacific? The military is investigating why the Waverider, designed to fly at six times the speed of sound went down off the coast of Southern California on Tuesday after successfully separating from a B-52 bomber. What investigators have learned is that one of its cruiser control fins caused it to lose balance and crash. Four Waveriders were built, two have crashed. One flew three times the speed of sound in 2010 before being deliberately crashed. The Air Force has one more.