Aurora / Darkstar a reversed engineering approach

[Michel Van]

Hello is my first Topic here

is a WI about a "real" Aurora / Darkstar U.S. reconnaissance aircraft
the Aurora should be the replacement for the SR-71

but instead imagine the Aurora, I take a reversed engineering approach

begin with this timeline

1989 retirement of SR-71 Fleet (start point of timeline)
1988 first Aurora aircraft enter service
1987-1985 Aurora Test flight series
1985 First prototype completed
1978 Start of Aurora Program (10 years for Development)
1977 Lockheed Stunk Works get contract (the only one with experience in supersonic flight)

so in 1978 Stunk Works lock the final design of Aurora aircraft
means the Aurora is 1970's Aircraft aerodynamics and technology's

Wat had Lockheed in 1977 Proposal for a Mach 6 Aircraft ?
the X-24C L-301 (see picture)
http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19790008669_1979008669.pdf

so the Aurora can be a improved version of X-24C L-301
A rocket and Ram/Scream Jet engine
the differences L-301 and Aurora: no B-52 carrier, 2 men cockpit and bigger rocket engine for Runway take off

so is this good concept or a flash in pan ?

[JayBee]

I am sure I saw one of these taking off from Machrihanish some years ago!

Looks good keep going.

JimB

[PR19_Kit]

I am sure I saw one of these taking off from Machrihanish some years ago!

Yes indeed, LOTS of strange goings on happening there I've noticed.........

[Michel Van]

here three side view of lockheed L-301 proposal for X-24C

it look really like that JayBee ?

back to X-24C, it had to be drop from B-52

i think not that the Aurora start the same way
its take off like normal Aircraft

so question is do it with rocket or turbojet startengine ?

a Rocket engine give Aurora a hell of trust and is useful for highspeed runs

but its need liquid oxygen and rocketengine is a bright IR target
Turbojets has the advance of no need for liquid oxygen and save mass

wat to select ?

[tinlail]

A scramjet need a rocket to get up to operating speed so I suggest that you go with a rocket. I don't think that 70's technology had any notion of combining ram.scram jet as feasible.

My suggestion to create a launcher stage based on the starclipper externals tank design.


If you are okay with it being expendable nothing more need to be done, good for vertical launch assuming you have enough rocket engine

I would suggest however making the launcher manned and reusable. Put a pilot in the nose, add a delta wing to allow controlled flight, separate rocket engines at the base of the tanks. The Aurora might still need to have a rocket to ensure that it got to ignition speed for the scramjet but it could  be a pretty small one.

[rocketman]

I am sure I saw one of these taking off from Machrihanish some years ago!

Looks good keep going.

JimB

I arrived just now in this wonderful forum and I realize now that the topic is quite old but if it were possible I would like JayBee describe in more detail what he has seen and which specify the year of his sighting.
I was amused to reconstruct the form of "covert planes'" according to testimony for the technical details and structural refer those who report these sightings.
My hobby requires a lot of patience, so even the smallest detail becomes very important, so if Jay Bee feel he could help me can try to describe what he saw.
In any case, thank you in advance .... and I apologize for the delay.

Rocketman