Wingspan 2 m | Length 83 cm | |
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The 14-X is a Brazilian hypersonic aircraft, named in tribute to the 14-bis of Alberto Santos-Dumont. This aircraft is equipped with a scramjet engine, which is integrated into the fuselage and has no moving parts. The operating principle is that, during flight, the air is compressed by the geometry and speed of the vehicle and directed to the engine at the bottom of the aircraft. Hydrogen is used as the fuel. The vehicle will utilize the “Waverider” concept. A friction wave in the inferior part of the aircraft will give it sustainability.
Contents
History
The project is already being tested in the “T3” Brazilian Air Force hypersonic wind tunnel. It will be an UAV but will not be able to put satellites in orbit because of its air-breathing engine and insufficient speed. The aircraft was originally planned to be active in 2010, but delays have made the Brazilian air force postpone it to 2012. It is being constructed in Brazilian Air Force's Instituto de Estudos Avançados (Institute for Advanced Studies).
Specifications (14X)
General characteristics
Performance