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Steel airframe

Steel airframe

The hypersonic airframe contains a large volume of hydrogen by integrating the airframe structure with the hydrogen tanks. This saves volume and weight, enabling long-distance flights. The airframe is made of steel, which has higher temperature limits than aluminium. At hypersonic speed, the airframe is kept at safe temperatures by a combination of hydrogen cooling and local protection (e.g. using nickel superalloys)

Steel airframe. Destinus
Other technology highlights
Hypersonic waverider
Hypersonic waverider
ACTIVE THERMAL PROTECTION
ACTIVE THERMAL PROTECTION
CRYOGENIC FUEL TANKS
CRYOGENIC FUEL TANKS