U.S. to See Hypersonic Plane Flying 6 Times Speed of Sound, Missile at Mach 20

Rendering of SR-72 by Lockheed Martin Corp.

U.S. military supplier Lockheed Martin Corp. said Tuesday that it was on the verge of a technological breakthrough that would allow its conceptual SR-72 hypersonic plane reach six times the speed of sound, or at Mach 6. The plane is expected to be manufactured by 2030.

The plane, with the size of an F-22 stealth fighter, would give the U.S. military a major advantage in prompt global strike, allowing it to reach targets anywhere in the world within one hour.

According to the CEO of Lockheed Martin, Marillyn Hewson, the hypersonic plane will be produced at an affordable price which is “less than $1 billion”. Meanwhile, Lockheed is also working on a missile that launches at Mach 20, that’s 20 times the speed of sound, Hewson added.

The Lockheed also showcased a newly-developed laser weapon that could burn through metals and effectively stop land, air, or sea targets in their path. The Laser weapon is said to be deployed next year. “By fundamentally redefining the technical means of power projection, the U.S. can circumvent challenges facing the present force,” a report from the company said.