Tesla's Model 3 Looks To Challenge BMW, Make Electric Vehicles Affordable

This past week, Elon Musk, founder and CEO of Tesla Motors, revealed its third generation car as the Model 3. Currently, the company has released the Model S and is in the process of producing their crossover SUV, the Model X. In a humorous interview, Musk revealed that they wanted to call the newly announced Model 3 "Model E" instead, but were threatened by legal action from Ford Motor Company, who already owned the name. All humor aside, the Model 3, currently projected to be released for sale in 2017, could lead a major shift towards electric vehicles for customers. [1]

Early rendering of the Tesla Model 3 [5]

The major reason the Model 3 could potentially be a game-changer is its cost. Musk, also founder and CEO of aerospace company Space-X, estimates the new model will cost around $35,000. For reference, the 2014 BMW 3 Series, the car Tesla is aiming to compete with using the Model 3, has a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $32,750. Other similar luxury vehicles like the 2014 Audi A4 have comparable prices as well. The Model 3 will also be about 20% smaller than the Model S, which currently has a MSRP of nearly $70,000, and have a range of over 200 miles. The reason for the steep reduction in price is current efforts to construct what Tesla calls a "Gigafactory" for its batteries. Costing about $5 billion total, this factory will allow efficient production of Tesla's lithium-ion batteries, reducing its cost by 30 percent. A location has yet to be announced, but construction is slated to begin this year in order to start production by 2017. It is no coincidence that this is also the year the Model 3 is scheduled to start production. If all goes as planned, consumers will have a new option next to the traditional sports sedans that doesn't sacrifice performance or feasibility of cost to be energy efficient. [1][2][3][4]

Tesla Model S [6]

It seems that the only thing that can slow the arrival of the Model 3 is time. Currently, the company is working to get its Model X SUV out to market, which has been delayed into next year. This has pushed back projections of the Model 3's release from 2016 to the current estimation of 2017. Even with these delays, Musk expects sales for his cars to increase as the Gigafactory nears completion and the Model X finally reaches the road. The company expects to sell about 35,000 cars in 2014, but by 2020, that number is projected to rise to 500,000 per year. The construction of the Gigafactory and introduction of the reasonably-priced Model 3 are expected to be major drivers in that estimate. [1][2][3][4]

While much can happen between now and 2017, such as more delays for the Model 3 or the Gigafactory, Tesla Motors currently have a plan in place to insert an electric car in the luxury sedan market. As emphasis on energy efficiency and reduction of fuel costs continues to increase, Tesla is putting themselves in a place to benefit and shift those in the market for a luxury vehicle to the affordable Model 3.

References:
[1] http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/tesla/87867/tesla-model-3-to-challenge-bmw-3-series-world-exclusive
[2]http://www.forbes.com/sites/hannahelliott/2014/07/21/teslas-model-3-will-be-best-selling-car-in-its-class-despite-musks-failure-to-work-sex-into-the-name/
[3]http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/Is-This-the-Site-of-the-Tesla-Giga-Battery-Factory-in-Nevada
[4]http://www.forbes.com/sites/amitchowdhry/2014/07/22/tesla-motors-idles-california-plant-to-prepare-for-electric-suv-line/
[5]http://static.autoexpress.co.uk/sites/autoexpressuk/files/styles/article_main_image/public/7/03//tesla-model-e-front.jpg?itok=Q-r6AMlD
[6]http://g.foolcdn.com/editorial/images/138917/model-s-twitter-2_large.jpg

An Overview of Ford Motor Company

Founded in 1903, Ford Motor Company is headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan, just outside of Detroit. Like Chrysler and General Motors, the company suffered greatly through the American economic recession, reporting a record loss in 2008, but turned a profit the following year, its first in 4 years at the time. Ford is led by executive chairman Bill Ford, Jr., the great-grandson of founder Henry Ford. Also at the helm is President and CEO Alan Mulally, who worked as an engineer and later became executive vice president and CEO for major aerospace company Boeing prior to his appointment to Ford in 2006. The company produces mainly two brands: Ford for automobiles and commercial vehicles, and Lincoln for luxury vehicles. With a profitable year in 2013, Ford Motor Company is looking to continue its string of success into 2014. [1]

Ford Motor Company headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan [5]

Ford Motor Company sports a lineup of recognizable vehicles for consumers worldwide. First in line is the compact Ford Focus, which is currently the best-selling vehicle nameplate in the world. The Focus is an incredibly environmentally-focused car, featuring the company's most fuel-efficient automatic transmission and interior cloth materials made from 25% recycled content. In addition, innovations like a sealed front-end and engine undershield maximize the aerodynamic properties of the Focus, reducing drag as much as possible to increase fuel economy. The Ford Fiesta sedan offers the best-in-class highway fuel economy and includes seven standard airbags, one of which is a previously-unheard-of driver's knee airbag. One of the more famous vehicles in Ford's lineup is the Mustang convertible, which is powered by a 5.0 liter V8 engine that provides 420 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque. With available features like a panoramic glass roof and an app that tracks performance metrics like brake performance and g-forces, the Mustang is a dream for sports car lovers. Finally, another famous vehicle in the Ford family is its F-150 truck. The latest edition hauls up to 3,120 pounds of cargo, more than any vehicle in its class, and has a trailing towing capacity of up to 11,300 pounds. Additional features like a stowable bed extender and cable lock make this truck stand out for those who tackle heavy-duty jobs. With these vehicles and other options like the Taurus and Fusion cars and Explorer and Escape SUVs, Ford will continue to appeal to customers with many different needs. [2][3]

2014 Ford Focus [6]

2014 Ford Fiesta [7]

2014 Ford F-150 [8]

Part of what makes Ford's lineup so appealing is its continued emphasis on technology and environmental friendliness. Their family of turbocharged, direct injected petrol engines known as EcoBoost engines are designed to offer greater fuel efficiency and less greenhouse emissions than other hybrid options. To support its Focus Electric, Fusion Energi, and C-MAX Energi vehicles, all of which are fueled at least partially by electrical power, the company has plans to install electric vehicle charge stations at over 50 of its workplaces in 2014. This adds to the 1,700 charging stations Ford already has at its dealerships and facilities across the country. Finally, most Ford vehicles offer SYNC and MyFord Touch connectivity, which allow features like hands-free calling and audible text message reading. Such features limit the amount of time viewed away from the road while appealing to the younger, technology-savvy generation of customers. Ford's ability to embrace technology and support higher environmental protection standards are a couple key reasons for their continued success. [3][4]

With a strong lineup, growing innovation, and a strong vision from their corporate leadership, Ford Motor Company is slated to continue its strong momentum into 2014 and beyond.

Sources:
[1] "Ford Motor Company." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 16 Mar. 2014. Web.<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company>.
[2] "Vehicles." Ford Motor Company Products and. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://corporate.ford.com/vehicles>.
[3] "Ford Vehicles." Ford Vehicles. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://www.ford.com/vehicles/>.
[4] "Ford EcoBoost Engine." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 19 Mar. 2014. Web. 20 Mar. 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_EcoBoost_engine>.
[5] <http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2007/01/05/business/650_ford_2.jpg>
[6] <http://static.cargurus.com/images/site/2013/10/29/19/00/2014_ford_focus-pic-2453061454641040872.jpeg>
[7] <http://media.caranddriver.com/images/12q4/487262/2014-ford-fiesta-st-photo-488886-s-1280x782.jpg>
[8] <http://image.motortrend.com/f/wot/ford-september-sales-f-series-fusion-post-gains-over-last-year-411781/59404933/2014-ford-f150-front-three-quarters.jpg>

New Williams International Engine Maintenance Program Offers Unrivaled Coverage for Customers

One of the points of pride for small turbine engine company Williams International is their high level of customer support for their products. In the past few months, the company, headquartered in Commerce Township, Michigan, has increased the comprehensiveness of their customer support even further with the introduction of a new engine maintenance program. Known as TAP Blue, the program assures coverage for about any incident that could occur for a Williams International product. [1]

The Williams FJ33 turbofan engine, covered by the TAP programs [3]

Born from its Total Assurance Program (TAP), TAP Blue offers a level of coverage beyond its predecessor. According to Vice President of Product Support Steve Shettler, the program was molded from feedback provided by their engine operators. Under TAP Blue, the company's family of FJ33 and FJ44 engines are completely covered from damage incurred by hail, debris, birds, lightning, or any man-made objects ingested during use. Previously, such costs were the responsibility of the customer and their insurance. In addition, the program provides other additional benefits, such as express overhauls and free online maintenance manuals. Finally, all service bulletins, not just those that are mandatory, are also covered. [1][2]

Turbofan engine blades damaged by collision with foreign objects. Williams's TAP Blue program covers such damage. [4]

After developing TAP Blue, Williams offered incentives for its customers to upgrade and for new customers to enroll directly into the program through the end of 2013. Today, with its new program offered alongside its usual TAP options, Williams boasts maintenance coverage to fit the needs of any customer they may have. TAP Blue helps assure that customers of Williams will save as much money as possible on repairs when incidents affect the performance of their engines. [1]

Sources:
[1] "Williams International | News." Williams International | News. N.p., 21 Oct. 2013. Web. <http://www.williams-int.com/news.html?pid=33>.

[2] Huber, Mark. "Williams International Expands Total Support Program." Aviation International News. AINonline, 22 Oct. 2013. Web. <http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/nbaa-convention-news/2013-10-22/williams-international-expands-total-support-program>.

[3] <http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a7/Engine_for_the_Diamond_D-JET_(1520399705).jpg>

[4] <http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3f/Mercy-tech-N429MA-fod-060318-01cr-8.jpg>

An Overview of Chrysler Group LLC

In 2009, Chrysler, one of Michigan's Big 3 automotive companies, emerged from bankruptcy with the aid of Italian automotive company Fiat, forming Chrysler Group LLC. With headquarters located in Auburn Hills, Michigan, the new alliance boasts a product line that includes Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, SRT, Fiat, and Mopar vehicles. Under the leadership of CEO Sergio Marchionne, Chrysler returned to profitability less than 2 years after filing for bankruptcy. With over 70,000 employees, a massive technical facility, and a beneficial merger with Fiat, Chrysler Group LLC has put itself in position to be a major factor in the American and global automotive industries. [1]

Chrysler Group's headquarters in Auburn Hills, Michigan also houses its technical facility, known as the Chrysler Technical Center (CTC). The entire complex covers 5.4 million square feet, a size only the Pentagon exceeds, and is the workplace for about 11,000 employees. Opened in 1991, the technical center includes a 170,000 square foot pilot production plant and eight design studios, along with emissions and noise, vibration, and harshness labs, a powertrain test center, an electromagnetic compatibility facility, and an aero-acoustic wind tunnel. The engine test cells are built on their own foundations so conducting tests will not pass vibrations throughout the rest of the complex, and a 1.8 mile evaluation road and wide basement hallways allow vehicles to be run and tested within the complex. The advantage of having its main technical facility and headquarters all under one roof allows Chrysler Group's employees to work more efficiently and interact directly with each department, as well as upper management. [1][2]

An aerial view of Chrysler headquarters and the Chrysler Technical Center in Auburn Hills, MI [4]

With its latest lineup of vehicles, Chrysler Group is setting itself up for a productive year in 2014. The 2015 Chrysler 200 sedan will become the industry's first mid-size sedan with a standard nine-speed automatic transmission, allowing the vehicle to obtain highway fuel economy fuel ratings of 35 miles per gallon. Also a first is the sedan's fully disconnecting rear axle, which will improve fuel economy when all-wheel drive is not necessary. Dodge sports a 2014 lineup that includes the Journey, which enjoyed its best sales year ever in 2013, along with the Durango, Challenger, Charger, Dart, Avenger, and Grand Caravan. The compact Dart sports a 2.4-liter, 184 horsepower Tigershark engine, a 8.4-inch touchscreen, and notable safety features such as 10 standard air bags. Jeep has set a company sales record for its 2014 Grand Cherokee SUV, and the Ram 1500 pickup truck earned a best in-class 28 miles per gallon and allows 9,200 pounds of towing capacity. Fiat has joined the fray as well with the introduction of the 500 Abarth and Abarth Cabrio, small cars designed with race-car enthusiasts in mind. Finally, the SRT Viper offers another option for track aficionados. Chrysler Group has created a diverse array of vehicles that will appeal to consumers of all walks of life in 2014. [3]

2015 Chrysler 200 sedan [5]

2014 Dodge Dart [6]

2014 Ram 1500 [7]

With a newfound lease on life thanks to the merger with Fiat, the state-of-the-art testing facility and headquarters, and a new, innovative lineup of vehicles that appeal to many types of consumers, Chrysler Group LLC is slated for continued growth, both nationally and globally.

Sources:
[1] "About Us - Chrysler Group LLC." Chrysler Group LLC. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://www.chryslergroupllc.com/company/AboutUs/Pages/AboutUs.aspx>.
[2] "Chrysler Technical Center (CTC) and Auburn Hills Complex." Chrysler Technical Center (CTC) and Auburn Hills Complex. Allpar, n.d. Web. <http://www.allpar.com/corporate/factories/CTC.html>.
[3]"Brands and Products." Chrysler Group LLC. Chrysler Group LLC, n.d. Web. <http://media.chrysler.com/newsroom.do?id=174&mid=356>.

[4] <http://imagine-mexico.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/chrysler-auburn-hills-mi-headquarters2.jpg>

[5] <http://images.thecarconnection.com/lrg/2015-chrysler-200_100452642_l.jpg>
[6] <http://www.dodge.com/assets/images/vehicles/2014/dart/gallery/large/2014-dart-exterior-redbrick.jpg>
[7] <http://images.thecarconnection.com/med/2014-ram-1500_100441346_m.jpg>

A Look at the Latest Engines at Williams International

A small company with headquarters in Walled Lake, Michigan, Williams International has supplied small gas turbine engines to the aerospace industry since the 1950s. This post takes a closer look at the new projects the company has unveiled within the past year. [1]

Williams International made headlines last year when Swiss jet company Pilatus selected the FJ44-4A turbofan engines to power its Pilatus PC-24 aircraft. These engines can provide a normal takeoff thrust of 3435 lbf with an added 5 percent of thrust available in reserve through what Williams calls an Automatic Thrust Reserve. The special features of this engine, however, are what makes it even more appealing to small jet companies. The inlet of the engine is designed to reduce icing and noise, and a pre-cooler helps reduce bleed air and losses due to drag. The engine possesses a Quiet Power Mode, which provides energy to power the jet's electrical systems without the need of an auxiliary power unit. This allows for the aircraft to operate at a higher fuel efficiency. Finally, the FJ44-4A leads its engine class with a time between overhaul of 5000 hours, allowing the PC-24 to operate without interruption for a longer period of time. [1][2]

The Pilatus PC-24 aircraft [3]

In addition, Williams began production on two more FJ44 engines - the FJ44-1AP-21 and the FJ44-4A-32 - after both received certification from the Federal Aviation Administration in March and May of 2013. The 1AP-21 improves upon its predecessor, the FJ44-1AP, with a 10-15% increase in thrust and a percent decrease in fuel consumption during long range cruise. In addition, the engine provides more thrust at hot and high takeoff conditions and an increase in time between overhaul of 500 hours. With all these improvements, aircraft using these engines can operate more efficiently than before, takeoff under more extreme conditions, and fly for longer periods of time and greater distances. Cessna's Citation M2 jet makes use of the FJ44-1AP. The 4A-32 also improves in thrust,  its 3230 ibf output being nearly 500lbf greater than its predecessor. The other great benefit of the 4A-32 is its fuel economy: with its range at 1,930 nautical miles, it's an impressive 43% greater than the engine it replaces. The Hawker 400XPR reaps the benefits of this improved 4A-32 engine. 

The Williams International FJ-44 4A engine. This model was later improved upon by later iterations. [4]

With the improvements they've made to their FJ44 engines, Williams International has shown why they are held in high regard in the small gas turbine industry. 

The Cessna Citation M2 jet [5]

Sources:
[1] "Williams International | News." Williams International | News. N.p., 21 May 2013. Web.<http://www.williams-int.com/news.html?pid=32>.
[2]"Welcome to Pilatus Aircraft Ltd." Welcome to Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://www.pilatus-aircraft.com/#278>.
[3]<http://www.pilatus-aircraft.com/01-api/navigation/1.0/images/contentheader/slide/PC-24-SVJ/09.jpg>
[4]<http://www.aero-news.net/images/content/commav/2003/williams-fj44-1003b.jpg>
[5]<http://www.aopa.org/-/media/Images/AOPA/Home/News/All%20News/2011/September/Cessna%20offers%20Citation%20M2%20jet/110926cessna_citation_m2.jpg%3Fw%3D480%26h%3D260%26as%3D1>

Amazon Delivery Drone Concept Brings Attention to UAV Market

A growing sector of the aerospace industry, the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) market, got some mainstream attention last month when Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos revealed his Amazon Prime Air concept during an interview on CBS's 60 Minutes. While the UAV is often associated with military applications, there have been instances recently of these machines being used by law enforcement and businesses as well. If the Amazon Prime Air concept is successfully developed and implemented, it will be a major step forward for the UAV market as a whole. [1][2]

Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos presents his Amazon Prime Air idea during his interview on 60 Minutes [7]

Bezos's idea would implement the use of UAVs known as octocopters. As one would guess, the drone is powered by 8 propellers and is about the size of a remote-controlled airplane. They would be able to carry up to 5 pounds in weight, which Bezos claims will cover about 86 percent of the items Amazon delivers. The items will first be packaged in yellow buckets at one of Amazon's 96 warehouses, also referred to as fulfillment centers. The drone will then identify the customer's location via GPS and fly the bucket right to his or her door. Amazon's goal is to accomplish these deliveries in 30 minutes or less within a 10-mile radius of its fulfillment centers. [3][4][5]

A video illustrating the delivery process is shown below:

Technologically speaking, Amazon Prime Air is nearly ready to begin deliveries. Amazon claims that Prime Air will be ready as early as next year. However, service is not expected to begin for another four or five years at the earliest. This is due to two major concerns regarding this potential service. The first and foremost concern is safety. As Bezos said during the 60 Minutes interview, "The hard part here is putting in all the redundancy....All the reliability to say this can’t land on somebody’s head." The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently crafting rules and regulations for commercial UAVs, but such discussions will likely take place next year and beyond. As of now, the FAA has plans to test commercial UAVs by the end of the year and propose a rule for them in 2015. Even then, it will probably be many more years until enough tests are conducted to convince the FAA that the drones are completely safe for domestic flight. Privacy is another major concern, as many states are concerned about domestic surveillance using drones similar to the ones that will be used for Prime Air. State governments will have to be convinced that the privacy of citizens will not be compromised by the use of the drones before allowing Prime Air to fly in their skies. [3][6]

Ground-level shot of the Amazon Prime Air octocopter [8]

While Amazon Prime Air may not be operational until even the next decade, the idea proposed by Bezos, who incidentally also runs the private aerospace company Blue Origin, shows how the UAV market is growing. Once simply a military venture, the UAV could soon become our mail truck of the future. Whether or not it becomes a reality remains to be seen, but it shows the potential of the UAV and why it has become so prevalent in the aerospace industry. 

Sources:

[1] "Unmanned Aerial Vehicle." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation,<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unmanned_aerial_vehicle>.

[2] Griffith, Cara. "It's A Bird, It's A Plane...It's Amazon Prime Air?" Forbes. Forbes Magazine, 09 Dec. 2013.<http://www.forbes.com/sites/taxanalysts/2013/12/09/its-a-bird-its-a-plane-its-amazon-prime-air/>.

[3] Guarini, Drew. "Amazon Reveals It Wants To Deploy Delivery Drones. No Joke." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 01 Dec. 2013. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/01/amazon-prime-air-delivery-drones_n_4369685.html>.

[4] "Amazon Prime Air." Amazon Prime Air. N.p., n.d. <http://www.amazon.com/b?node=8037720011>.

[5] Musil, Steven. "Amazon Testing 'octocopter' Package-delivery Drones." CNET News. CBS Interactive, 01 Dec. 2013. <http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57614166-93/amazon-testing-octocopter-package-delivery-drones/>.

[6] Rigby, Bill. "Don't Expect An Amazon Drone To Get Off The Ground Anytime Soon." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 03 Dec. 2013. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/03/amazon-drone_n_4374453.html>.

[7] http://asset3.cbsistatic.com/cnwk.1d/i/tim2/2013/12/01/60_1130_Rose_610x343.jpg

[8] https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/G/01/acs/rowland/assets/image-gallery-01._V367570019_.jpg%22

Hypersonic Spy Plane In Works For Lockheed Martin, Aerojet

About 15 years ago, the United States military retired the SR-71 Blackbird, a spy plane capable of reaching speeds up to Mach 3.5 and flying from New York to London in less than two hours. Recently, Lockheed Martin has announced plans for the aircraft's successor. With the help of Aerojet Rocketdyne, the SR-72 will not only shatter the limits established by the Blackbird, but also not require the control of an on-board pilot. [1][2]

A concept drawing of the SR-72, projected for flight in 2030. [3]

The SR-72 is under development by Lockheed Martin's Advanced Development Programs (ADP), also known as Skunk Works. Its main innovation will be its unprecedented speed, with the plane expected to reach speeds up to Mach 6, or 7,350 kilometers per hour (4,567 mph). This level of speed would be enough to traverse a continent in around an hour, with a trip around the Earth clocking in at only 6 hours. This speed would make the plane an incredible reconnaissance weapon for the United States, allowing them to observe or attack any location around the world in mere hours. In addition, the SR-72 will operate at an altitude of 24,300 meters (80,000 feet), making it very difficult for enemies to knock it out of the sky. Though the development plan includes an option for a pilot to fly the aircraft, the ultimate goal is for the SR-72 to be completely unmanned. Its speed would allow it to carry weapons such as missiles without boosters, which would significantly reduce weight. Not only that, the plane's speed would allow it to strike before a target can find it and sufficiently react. [2][4][5]

There is but one problem for this project: the technology to reach speeds of Mach 6 has not yet been developed. Turbofan engines that are found in typical airliners can only efficiently operate up to Mach 2.5, while ramjet engines can only reach Mach 4, and not efficiently.  However, Lockheed believes they have found a solution by joining forces with Aerojet Rocketdyne. The idea is to create a turbine/supersonic combustion ramjet (scramjet) hybrid engine of sorts. The scramjet, as the name implies, uses super-compressed air with fuel to propel aircraft at supersonic speeds. The only drawback is that at lower speeds, the engine won't receive the compressed air it needs to operate. This is where the conventional turbine engine would come in. The turbine jet engine, which operates at speeds from zero to Mach 3, would share the inlet and nozzle with the scramjet and handle the initial ignition and acceleration. Once the aircraft reaches the upper limit of the turbine engine and the compressed air is created, some sort of mechanical device would switch the airflow to the scramjet, which would propel the plane to the desired hypersonic speed. [2][4]

A diagram and explanation of the proposed hybrid engine that would power the SR-72 to speeds of Mach 6. [6]

Though Lockheed Martin has confirmed that development of the SR-72 has begun, the project is still only in the concept stages and hasn't even received funding yet. Thus, we are years away from seeing even a physical prototype. A piloted scale version is expected to be constructed in 2018 and flight tested by 2023. If all goes according to schedule, the SR-72 will be completely built, tested, and approved for military use by 2030. Though it will be almost 20 years before the project sees real use, if it succeeds and the hybrid engine can indeed propel the aircraft to speeds of Mach 6, the SR-72 can be a real intelligence weapon in the future for the United States.[2]

Sources:
[1] Broge, Jean L. "SR-72 Flies into 21st Century at Mach 6." SAE International. SAE International, 24 Nov. 2013. <http://articles.sae.org/12619/>.
[2] Anthony, Sebastian. "Lockheed Unveils SR-72 Hypersonic Mach 6 Scramjet Spy Plane." ExtremeTech. N.p., 6 Nov. 2013.<http://www.extremetech.com/extreme/170463-lockheed-unveils-sr-72-hypersonic-mach-6-scramjet-spy-plane>.
[3] <http://www.extremetech.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/SR-72-640x353.jpg>
[4] Atherton, Kelsey D. "Lockheed Martin Is Developing A Hypersonic Spy Plane." Popular Science. Popular Science, 4 Nov. 2013. <http://www.popsci.com/article/technology/lockheed-martin-developing-hypersonic-spy-plane>.
[5] Norris, Guy. "Exclusive: Skunk Works Reveals SR-71 Successor Plan." Exclusive: Skunk Works Reveals SR-71 Successor Plan. Aviation Week, 1 Nov. 2013. <http://www.aviationweek.com/Article.aspx?id=/article-xml/awx_11_01_2013_p0-632731.xml>.
[6] <http://www.extremetech.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/sr72_big-640x452.jpg>