DARPA’s Falcon Hypersonic Technology Vehicle-2 aims at reaching anywhere in the world in less than an hour

The Falcon Hypersonic Technology Vehicle-2 (Falcon HTV-2) aircraft is a wedge-shaped plane equipped with thrusters and aero-surfaces designed to provide control during hypersonic flight. It is built to withstand extreme heating since the flying at Mach 20 can subject it to temperatures of up to 1,900 degrees Celsius. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) calls it the fastest flying vehicle ever constructed.

During the recent test flight, the flying prototype plunged into the ocean after shifting into a mode that allows it to fly Mach 20, or about 21,000 kmph. However, the test flight lasted longer than the project’s first flight in April 2010. That first flight had lasted nine minutes and ended when an earlier hypersonic vehicle detected an anomaly and also crashed into the ocean.

To reach hypersonic speeds, the HTV-2 launched into suborbital space atop a Minotaur rocket. The vehicle then popped free of the booster and re-entered earth’s atmosphere.

During the second test flight, DARPA scientists had expected the HTV-2 aircraft to use small rocket thrusters to control its re-entry and then pitch itself up to increase altitude and control. After that, the vehicle was expected to enter a long glide phase in order to perform a set of pre-programmed manoeuvring tests while flying at about 21,000 kmph.

Once those tests were complete, the vehicle was expected to crash itself into the ocean to end the mission. But during the actual flight, ground stations lost contact with the HTV-2 earlier than planned.