Abstract
The Holloman High Speed Test Track (HHSTT) is in the midst of increasing its capabilities to support hypersonic testing. This paper will discuss the Department of Defense-funded HHSTT Upgrade program and the current and projected capabilities of the HHSTT to support hypersonic testing. HHSTT delivers test articles to hypersonic velocities by accelerating sleds with solid rocket motors. The sleds are attached to a crane rail via metal slippers wrapped around the rail. At hypersonic velocities, the slipper/rail interface has become the limiting factor in maximum attainable velocity/payload combinations. Specifically, slipper wear, slipper/rail gouging, and high vibration loads produced by slipper/rail impacts have resulted in a number of test vehicle failures at velocities above 6000-ft/sec. The HHSTT Upgrade program addresses each of these problem areas.
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