The Progressive Rocket I proposed can be altered to function as a SR-71 replacement. Rise of anti-access/area denial tactics and counter-stealth technologies renders speed more promising than stealth for penetrating protected airspace. Therefore, a hybrid rocket, ramjet, scramjet plane would suffice the requirements. The main difference of my design compared to SR-72 (SR-71 replacement) is that it will utilize rocket engines instead of turbofans at low speed.
Inefficient but much lighter rocket engines (compared to turbofans) will be fired on takeoff until the adequate speed is reached for the ramjet to fire. Once ramjets are fired, the rockets will be shot down. Beyond certain speeds, the ramjet will transform to a scramjet for efficiency. Transformable ramjet is much lighter and simpler than a turbofan engine. This reduces the R&D and manufacturing cost of the plane.
The plane will have multiple wings like a biplane. Reduced thickness of the wings will not have a drag penalty compared to traditional wings. This will increase the lift capacity of the wings so that the plane can fly at higher altitudes. Additionally, vertical sections supporting the wings will double as vertical stabilizers. The presence of liquid oxygen on board will also allow the plane to fly at higher altitudes by supplying oxygen to the engines.
In order to compensate for extra fuel consumption, the plane can be build larger. Simpler design (compared to SR -71) of the plane allows easy scalability. My design also allows fast servicing times and reduced preparation times compared to the original SR-71. It can also be refueled in air by a tanker version of it.
The plane’s common technologies with the progressive rocket, reduces the R&D budgets and manufacturing costs for both of them.
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