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NASA’s Isaacman showed a silhouette that evoked the famed SR-71 and declared his agency is getting "back in the business of flying high and fast again." The post Did NASA’s Administrator Just Tease An SR-71 Blackbird Follow-On X-Plane? (Updated) appeared first on TWZ.
Analysis Summary
# Morning News Roll-up October 24, 2023
## Overview
Today's analysis focuses on potential advancements in high-speed aeronautics and experimental aircraft (X-planes) following public statements by NASA leadership. The primary narrative concerns the teasing of a successor to the SR-71 Blackbird, signaling a strategic shift toward hypersonic and high-altitude research flight testing.
## Top Stories
### NASA Administrator Teases Potential SR-71 Follow-On X-Plane
- Summary: During the All-In Summit, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman presented a silhouette of a blended-wing aircraft heavily resembling the SR-71 Blackbird. Isaacman stated the agency is "rebuilding its X-plane portfolio" and intends to return to "flying high and fast," potentially signaling a new high-speed research platform.
- Source: hxxps://www[.]twz[.]com/air/did-nasas-administrator-just-tease-an-sr-71-blackbird-follow-on-x-plane
### The Evolution of the SR-72 and "Darkstar" Tech
- Summary: The report highlights the connection between NASA’s new interest and Lockheed Martin’s SR-72 concept. The narrative explores how fictional designs like the "Darkstar" from *Top Gun: Maverick* (developed with Skunk Works) may reflect real-world classified developments in hypersonic airframe and propulsion design.
- Source: hxxps://www[.]twz[.]com/skunk-works-helped-create-the-darkstar-jet-for-top-gun-maverick
### NASA’s X-59 and the Future of Supersonic Research
- Summary: NASA is currently utilizing the X-59 to research quiet supersonic flight. Administrator Isaacman noted that the X-59 is "just the beginning" of a broader effort to push the boundaries of aeronautical engineering and high-speed propulsion.
- Source: hxxps://www[.]twz[.]com/air/nasa-administrator-jared-isaacman-speech-analysis
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# Main Topic
NASA is signaling a renewed focus on high-speed, high-altitude experimental aircraft (X-planes), potentially involving a successor to the Mach 3+ SR-71 Blackbird.
## Key Points
- NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman displayed a silhouette of a high-speed aircraft that evokes the SR-71's geometry, including a long profile, pronounced chines, and highly blended wings.
- The agency is explicitly "rebuilding its X-plane portfolio," moving beyond current projects like the X-59 Quiet SuperSonic Technology (QueSST).
- Isaacman’s remarks suggest a return to flight regimes (high altitude and high speed) not seen in NASA research since the retirement of the SR-71 in 1999.
- There is speculation regarding whether this represents a collaborative effort with industry partners like Lockheed Martin (Skunk Works) and their proposed SR-72 hypersonic concept.
## Threat Actors
- **Note:** In the context of this aeronautical report, there are no malicious "threat actors" identified. The primary entities are:
- **NASA:** The lead government agency for aeronautical research.
- **Lockheed Martin (Skunk Works):** Mentioned as a key industry partner in high-speed aircraft development.
## TTPs
- **Propulsion Pushing:** Efforts to advance airframe and propulsion designs for hypersonic speeds.
- **Stealth and Geometry:** Use of blended-wing bodies and "chines" to manage aerodynamics and potentially signature reduction at high speeds.
- **Flight Testing:** Recommitting to high-risk, high-reward flight test programs to validate experimental designs.
## Affected Systems
- **X-59 QueSST:** Current experimental aircraft focusing on quiet supersonic booms.
- **SR-71 Blackbird (Legacy):** The historical benchmark for high-speed flight research.
- **SR-72 (Conceptual):** The projected Mach 6 successor mentioned in relation to the new silhouette.
## Mitigations
- **Aeronautical Engineering:** NASA is focused on mitigating the "sonic boom" through the X-59 project to enable supersonic flight over land.
- **Research Safeguards:** Classification of specific technical specifications suggests standard government protections for sensitive aerospace technologies.
## Conclusion
NASA's public teasing of a high-speed aircraft silhouette indicates a major strategic pivot back toward high-Mach research. While technical details remain largely classified, the move suggests that the agency is positioning itself to lead in the development of hypersonic technologies that have both civilian and defense implications. Analysts should monitor upcoming NASA budget requests and X-plane announcements for formal program designations.