The fourth and final mission of the Boeing X-51A WaveRider unmanned hypersonic vehicle sets the record for the longest ever air-breathing hypersonic flight. The X-51A traveled more than 230 nautical miles in slightly more than six minutes off the coast of southern California. A B-52 starting from Edwards AFB, Calif., carried the WaveRider aloft, releasing it at approximately 50,000 feet in altitude. The X-51’s rocket booster accelerated the vehicle to Mach 4.8, when the X-51 separated and ignited its supersonic combustion ramjet engine to propel itself to Mach 5.1 at 60,000 feet.
Unit commanders are being told to separate service members who can’t shave their cheeks and chin for medical reasons for more than a year, according to new guidance from Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.
