Will the Royal Air Force also have a hypersonic fighter in a few years? This is the ambition of the Concept V. This project, whose first information was presented at the Farnborough fair this week, is being piloted by the British government with two manufacturers, the engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce and Reaction Engines, a propulsion specialist from high speed. It is financially supported by the National Security Strategic Investment Fund (NSSIF).
The Concept V is part of the Hypersonic Air Vehicle Experimental (HVX) program overseen by the UK Ministry of Defense with the Royal Air Force’s Rapid Capabilities Office (RCO) in conjunction with the Defense Science and Technology Laboratory. But if the project has just been unveiled, you will have to be patient.
Fly at Mach 5
In fact, no technical details have been given about the Concept V, apart from the goal of reaching a speed of Mach 5, that is, the possibility of flying more than 6,000 kilometers. According to the specialized site Aviation Week, the demonstrator could be ready by 2030.
The UK thus joins the very restricted club of countries developing hypersonic aircraft. China, but also the United States are working on aeronautical applications. Just like Russia.
Source: BFM TV
