On the threshold - The outlook for supersonic and hypersonic aircraft

A development history and current development status evaluation is presented with a view to the prospective viability of supersonic, hypersonic, and transatmospheric vehicle RD Mach 5-6 military reconnaissance aircraft could be operational soon after. Transatmospheric, mixed airbreathing/rocket propulsion single-stage vehicles capable of orbital insertion will require several years of additional development beyond hypersonic ones to become operational.