I just read a fascinating article in Popular Mechanics about the development of two new missile technologies by the Pentagon. One would modify the existing Trident ballistic missile into a conventional-weapon- (as opposed to nuclear) armed missile that could hit targets without causing the horrific side-effects of a nuclear assault. The second one is a new technology for cruise missiles which would allow them to hit speeds of 3,600 MPH (Mach 5); far beyond the 550 MPH top speed of the Tomahawk, the current missile of choice of the US military. Both technologies have problems - the conventional weapon Trident looks like a nuclear Trident and would have to ly over the airspace of nuclear countries like Russia China to hit its targets, possibly igniting World War III, while the hypersonic technology used to fly the cruise missiles is still in development - which the Popular Mechanics article covers in excellent detail.

Strategic and social implications of weapons aside, the successful development of the X-51 (the name for the hypersonic cruise missile) creates interesting implications for the future of commercial flight. The precursor to the X-51, NASA's X-43A, hit Mach 10 in 2004 and demonstrated scientific principles that would be necessary for any aircraft that wasn't bound for space to use to keep from breaking up in the atmosphere. The X-43A is only 12 feet long, so it's a long way from being something you could pack a flight full of people into, but it's a start. Who knows? Maybe some day in our lifetimes, it'll take longer to get to the airport than it will to fly to your destination.

Via Gizmodo