Wright Brothers Institute Drives Innovation for Air Force, Boosting Defense and Local Economy

The Mach 6.7 X-15 ‘Hypersonic Rocket Plane’ Has a Message for the U.S. Air Force

Key Points and Summary – The X-15 was a rocket-powered research aircraft that pushed human flight to the edge of space and deep into the hypersonic regime. Air-launched from a B-52, three X-15s flew 199 missions between 1959 and 1968, hitting Mach 6.7 and altitudes above 350,000 feet. Pilots like Neil Armstrong and Joe Engle used the platform to gather critical data on aerodynamics, heating, structures, and control at extreme speeds and altitude…

Wright Brothers Institute drives innovation for Air Force, boosting defense and local economy

A Dayton-based nonprofit is revolutionizing how the Air Force approaches innovation, with far-reaching impacts on national defense and the local economy.

Creamer to lead defense alliance, manufacturing institute

A new leader has been named for the Rock Island Arsenal Defense Alliance (RIADA) and the Quad Cities Manufacturing Institute (QCMI).Col. Shawn Creamer (U.S. Army, ret.) has been hired as the groups’ joint executive director.Col. Shawn Creamer The RIADA, an affiliate of the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce, and QCMI jointly announced his appointment Tuesday, Nov. 18.According to a news release, RIADA and QCMI share the common long-range goal of de…