It’s dubbed the Bloodhound Project, a three-year effort headed by ThrustSSC developer Richard Noble. Noble will again tap commander Green, who reached 763 mph in the Thrust car, powered by twin Rolls-Royce Spey turbofan engines from the British F-4 Phantom II jet fighter. The Bloodhound SSC vehicle is expected to reach Mach 1.4, marking the greatest incremental increase in the history of the World Land Speed Record. A press release claims it will also exceed the low altitude speed record for aircraft of 994 mph. The release also highlights specs as follows: “”The 12.8m long, 6,422kg (fueled), jet and rocket-powered vehicle will be more advanced than most spacecraft and faster than a bullet fired from a handgun. Its 900mm diameter wheels will spin at over 10,000rpm, generating 50,000 radial g at the rim. The car will accelerate from 0 – 1,050mph in 40 seconds and at V-max (maximum velocity), the pressure of air bearing down on its carbon fibre and titanium bodywork will exceed twelve tonnes per square metre. At this speed, Andy Green will be covering a distance equivalent to over four football pitches every second, or 50m in the blink of an eye.” It’s not just about winning a numbers game. Proponent Lord Drayson, UK Science Minister, says it’s about inspiring the next generation of British aerospace engineers. In addition to sponsorship funding from Swansea University, STP, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, Serco and the University of The West of England, the team must raise 10 million pounds, or more than $16 million.
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[via Bloodhound SSC]
