Japan To Test Hyper Plane At Woomera

TECH SPACE

Example of a Japanese design for a hypersonic plane.

Canberra - April 24, 2001
An agreement was signed today between between the Commonwealth of Australia (Department of Defence) and the National Aerospace Laboratory (NAL) of Japan for use of the Woomera Prohibited Area in South Australia for flight testing scale model super-sonic transport planes.

NAL Japan is engaged in a high priority research program aimed at developing critical technologies to support a leading Japanese role in a future international super-sonic transport (SST) passenger aircraft.

This is the next generation ‘Concorde’ offering major operating efficiencies (fuel economy, range and seating capacity) and a far lower environmental impact (nitrogen oxide emissions and noise impact).

NAL Japan has selected the Woomera Prohibited Area (WPA) in South Australia as the preferred location for the program because of safety, airspace, recovery, climatic and infrastructure considerations.

The choice is also based on NAL’s experience and familiarity with the WPA following the highly successful ALFLEX (scale model shuttle) flight trials at Woomera Airfield in 1996.

The trials will involve the rocket boosted launch of an 11 metre long non-powered airplane to an altitude of 20km where the plane will separate from the booster and undertake a series of measurements to characterise aerodynamic performance at speeds near Mach 2.

After completion of the measurement phase the plane will fly autonomously to a pre-programmed landing point 15 km west of the launch site using a parachute and airbag system.

Four trials of the non-powered airplane are planned to begin in March 2002. NAL Japan may use the WPA for subsequent flight trials of a jet-powered experimental airplane in 2004.

A comprehensive risk assessment of the NAL Risk Analysis has been undertaken by BAe Systems and cleared by the Defence Science and Technology Organisation, Air Force Headquarters and Defence Service Delivery Division.

Facilities works are being prepared by Australian Defence Industries with the involvement of the Defence Infrastructure Division.

Environmental and Heritage aspects have also been addressed by the risk analysis and cleared by Defence.

The Defence Executive agreed in 1999 that while Defence had primary use of the Woomera facility, suitable commercial and government opportunities should be encouraged to defray Defence costs. This project meets that requirement.

The project is being undertaken on a full cost recovery basis.

TECH SPACE

Japan Hopes To Expand Commuter Distance

Tokyo - April 14, 2000
A revolutionary jet engine was unveiled at a Tokyo aerospace show last week. Designed to power a new generation of commercial aircraft that will fly at five times the speed of sound, the Hypersonic Transport Propulsion System (HYPR) is the brainchild of Japan's New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), a branch of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry.