Data Quality82%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the reconnaissance / surveillance drones category.
01 / Overview
NASA X-43
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1996–2006
Quantity
3
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES · POST-COLD WAR
68
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
12
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the reconnaissance / surveillance drones category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General5MOD.5
- UAV ClassExperimental hypersonic UAV
- Category (MALE/HALE/Tactical/Micro)Reconnaissance / Surveillance Drones
- First Flight2001
- Primary RoleHypersonic flight research
- In ServiceNo
◈Airframe3MOD.3
- Length3.7 m
- Empty Weight1,361 kg
- Low ObservableNo
▣Powerplant3MOD.3
- Engine TypeScramjet
- Number of Engines1
- Electric PropulsionNo
◇Performance2MOD.2
- Top Speed11,854 km/h
- Endurance0.17
◆Payload & Sensors5MOD.5
▤Armament4MOD.4
- ArmedNo
- Hardpoints0
- Weapons Payload0 kg
- Air-to-Ground MissilesNo
⬢Control & Autonomy5MOD.5
- Control TypeAutonomous
- Satellite (BLOS) LinkNo
- Autonomous CapableYes
- Swarming CapableNo
- Automatic Takeoff/LandingNo
▲Production3MOD.3
- Total Built3
- Operators1
- Variants3
◎Service History4MOD.4
- Retirement Year2006
- Production Start1996
- Production End2006
- Operational StatusRetired
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANRetired
- 1996Production started
- 2001Entered service
- 2006Production ended
30
years in service
10
years in production
3
units produced
0
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country no longer actively operates it. 1 countries retired it.
05 / MASS Score
RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES RANKING Reconnaissance / Surveillance Drones · Post-Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
284RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES68POST-COLD WAR · RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES2906UNITED STATES · ALL WEAPONS277PERFORMANCE/PRICE · RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES
ⓘ Rankings are within theReconnaissance / Surveillance Dronescategory.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE1terms
Capable of performing tasks or missions without direct human control, using onboard systems to make decisions and execute actions.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources