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
X-51 Waverider
Country
Production
2005–2013
Quantity
51
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES · POST-COLD WAR
62
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
10
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 aircraft
- Category (MALE/HALE/Tactical/Micro)Reconnaissance / Surveillance Drones
- First Flight2010
- Primary Rolehypersonic research
- In ServiceNo
◈Airframe3MOD.3
- Length7.62 m
- Empty Weight1,814 kg
- Low ObservableNo
▣Powerplant3MOD.3
- Engine TypeMGM-140 ATACMS
- Number of Engines1
- Electric PropulsionNo
◇Performance4MOD.4
- Top Speed6,200 km/h
- Service Ceiling21,300 m
- Range740 km
- Endurance0.117
◆Payload & Sensors5MOD.5
▤Armament4MOD.4
- ArmedNo
- Hardpoints0
- Weapons Payload0 kg
- Air-to-Ground MissilesNo
⬢Control & Autonomy5MOD.5
- Control Typeground control
- Satellite (BLOS) LinkNo
- Autonomous CapableNo
- Swarming CapableNo
- Automatic Takeoff/LandingNo
▲Production3MOD.3
- Total Built4
- Operators1
- Variants0
◎Service History4MOD.4
- Retirement Year2013
- Production Start2005
- Production End2013
- Operational Statusretired
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 2005Production started
- 2013Production ended
21
years in service
8
years in production
51
units produced
1
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
05 / MASS Score
RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES RANKING Reconnaissance / Surveillance Drones · Post-Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
228RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES62POST-COLD WAR · RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES2265UNITED STATES · ALL WEAPONS278PERFORMANCE/PRICE · RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES
ⓘ Rankings are within theReconnaissance / Surveillance Dronescategory.
📚 Sources