NASA is optimistic that the Mach 9.6-plus speed record set by the third and final X-43A air-breathing scramjet (supersonic-combustion ramjet) on 16 November, will reinforce its urgent attempts to keep the hypersonics project alive beyond 2005, despite the official end of the Hyper-X programme. The ATK GASL and Boeing-developed vehicle sustained scramjet operation for 10s. Final verification of the actual top speed is expected within the next few weeks.
Source: Flight International