to resolve scramjet and airframe design issues. Always adventurous regarding flight, Bowcutt applied to become an astronaut during the 1990s. Although not selected, he later participated in the Space Shuttle Columbia accident investigation. As Rockwell International merged with Boeing, Bowcutt worked on NASA’s X-43A scramjet-powered experimental vehicle, which made two successful hypersonic flights on hydrogen fuel. It reached Mach 7 the first time and nearly Mach 10 on the second and final flight. At the same time, the U.S. Air Force began developing a hydrocarbon-fueled scramjet. Bowcutt created the concept that became the X-51A. And he came up with a bigger breakthrough. “The bottom line was, we went beyond the X-43A and proved the scramjet was a practical hypersonic propulsion system,” he said. “The X-51A was a true flying machine, the right flight weight—and it could run for minutes. The technology was basically proved there. It worked.” A hypersonic airplane seems like a logical next step. Sharing his vision, Bowcutt explained that hypersonic technology might one day lead to a Mach 5 business jet or commercial airliner—the same Orient Express concept that inspired his career. A similar hypersonic aircraft could carry a reusable, air-breathing second stage for added boost that would permit it to travel to and from space in aircraft fashion, allowing for commercialized travel. But there is much to sort out. Bowcutt, who has been a member of the Boeing Technical Fellowship since 1998, has lost none of his enthusiasm for looking skyward and coming up with a new creation. “Not only did the X-51A fly, but it was a world first—and that was very satisfying,” Bowcutt said. “But I’m hungry. My ultimate dream is that space plane, that reusable space plane that changes the world.” DANIEL.W.RALEY@BOEING.COM 42 | BOEING FRONTIERS Photo: A Boeing Senior Technical Fellow for nearly two decades, Kevin Bowcutt is considered one of the world’s leading experts on hypersonics. PAUL PINNER | BOEING
Frontiers April 2016 Issue
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