A rocket-powered aircraft or rocket plane is an aircraft that uses a rocket engine for propulsion, sometimes in addition to airbreathing jet engines. Rocket planes can achieve much higher speeds than similarly sized jet aircraft, but typically for at most a few minutes of powered operation, followed by a gliding flight .

The X-planes are a series of experimental United States aircraft and rockets, used to test and evaluate new technologies and aerodynamic concepts. They have an X designator within the US system of aircraft designations, which denotes the experimental research mission.

A rocket-powered aircraft or rocket plane is an aircraft that uses a rocket engine for propulsion, sometimes in addition to airbreathing jet engines. Rocket planes can achieve much higher speeds than similarly sized jet aircraft, but typically for at most a few minutes of powered operation, followed by a gliding flight .

May 29, 2024 · The North American X-15 was a hypersonic rocket-powered aircraft developed by North American Aviation in the 1950s. The aircraft performed its first flight in June 1959 and was introduced by the USAF later that year. NASA also operated the X-15 as part of the X-plane experimental aircraft.

Jan 26, 2017 · We’ve compiled a list of a few secret and experimental military aircraft. Have a look. 15. DFS 194. Image Source: Wikimedia. DFS 194 was one of the first rocket powered plane designed by Alexander Lippisch in 1930s. It was powered by a conventional piston engine that provides the maximum speed of 550 km/h.

Jun 28, 2024 · Experimental aircraft, or X-planes, are built for a wide range of research purposes – technology or concept demonstrators, unmanned test missiles, and even as prototypes. Here is an overview of X-planes researched and tested at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California.

Oct 24, 2024 · From the iconic Bell X-1, which broke the sound barrier, to the hypersonic NASA X-43, which achieved record-breaking speeds, these extraordinary aircraft have captured the imagination of aviation enthusiasts and the public.

Feb 2, 2025 · The second North American X-15 rocket plane (serial 56-6671) transformed to X-15A-2 standard with its two external fuel tanks Photo: NASA | Wikimedia Commons The extra fuel, which could be accommodated in the external fuel tanks, allowed “more full thrust time, totaling 141 seconds—50 seconds more than the basic X-15 Nos. 1 and 2.”

The North American X-15 rocket-powered research aircraft bridged the gap between manned flight within the atmosphere and manned flight beyond the atmosphere into space. After completing its initial test flights in 1959, the X-15 became the first winged aircraft to attain velocities of Mach 4, 5, and 6 (four, five, and six times the speed of sound).

Dec 6, 2024 · The North American X-15 remains one of the most ambitious experimental aircraft, setting records for altitude and speed that remain impressive even today. Built in the 1960s, this rocket-powered plane reached speeds of Mach 6.7 and altitudes of …