F-35 Program Could Be Cancelled in 2023

The expensive and problem-filled F-35 stealth fighter program appears on track to finally getting cut short. The US Air Force is starting a months-long study of tactical aviation requirements that would lead to winding to the F-35 stealth fighter program. The study will look at a force mix that addresses both near- and long-term requirements. …

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SpaceX Super Heavy Booster Will Have a Welded Support Structure

Elon Musk indicated that the SpaceX Super Heavy Booster will use welded, internal, longitudinal hat stringers [to support its structure when unpressurized]. To the degree it may need hoop stiffness (probably not), combine with slosh baffles. Elon provided a general description of the internal structure of the SpaceX Super Heavy Booster. Below are pictures of …

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Will the Rotating Detonation Engines Enable Hypersonic Planes?

Disk rotating detonation engines could provide engines that are 10% more efficient, which could enable hypersonic planes. The USA, China, and Russia will be ramping up hypersonic weapon and hypersonic plane spending over ten billions per year each. Combustion can be performed in two different modes (deflagration and detonation). Deflagration is usually treated as approximately …

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100 Special Planes and $2.5 Billion per year for Sulphate Geoengineering

Researchers reviewed all lofting technologies that seem plausible as methods to put 100,000 tons per year of sulphur to an altitude of up to ~20 km in 2033. The program then scales to 5 million tons per year. Their main research involved engaging directly with commercial aerospace vendors to elicit what current and near-term technology …

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