The first plane in the series, the X-43A, was a single-use vehicle, of which three were built. The first X-43A was destroyed after malfunctioning in flight in 2001.

Jan 5, 2024 · Hyper-X research began with conceptual design and wind tunnel work in 1996. Three unpiloted X-43A research aircraft were built. Each of the 12-foot-long, 5-foot-wide lifting …

Key Points and Summary on X-43A - NASA's X-43A was a small, unmanned experimental aircraft that, in 2004, shattered world records by flying at nearly Mach 10 (almost 7,000 mph),...

Oct 15, 2025 · NASA's experimental X-43A didn't have a pilot and couldn't fly independently, but its blisteringly high speeds showed that hypersonic flight was possible.

NASA’s X-43A experimental aircraft set the world speed record for a jet-powered aircraft 20 years ago on Nov. 16, 2004. The flight demonstrated that an advanced form of air-breathing jet...

This paper provides an overview of the final flight of the NASA X-43A project. The project consisted of three flights, two planned for Mach 7 and one for Mach 10.

Key Points - NASA's X-43A hypersonic research vehicle, part of the "Hyper-X" program, still holds the world record for an air-breathing aircraft, achieving a speed of Mach 9.64 (6,363 mph)...

In 2004, NASA's X-43A scramjet made history by reaching the unprecedented speed of Mach 9.64. This hypersonic marvel showcased the potential of air-breathing propulsion technologies …

43A, and the Next Generation Launch Technology (NGLT) Program. The X-43A flights, the culmination of the Hyper-X Program, were the first-ever examples of a scramjet engine …

Oct 15, 2025 · In 2004, NASA’s X-43A proved it wasn’t science fiction, hitting Mach 9.6 – nearly 7,000 miles per hour. This wasn’t just about speed; it was the dawn of the **scramjet** era, …