X-43A demonstrated scramjet-powered hypersonic flight under NASA's Hyper-X program.
NASA's X-43A Hyper-X program was a high-risk hypersonic research effort to demonstrate air-breathing scramjet flight. NASA built three uncrewed vehicles, with the successful 2004 flights following a failed 2001 attempt. The program proved scramjet-powered flight at hypersonic speed and set air-breathing speed records.
A Pegasus-boosted, hydrogen-fueled scramjet test vehicle reached Mach 6.8 and Mach 9.6.
The X-43A was a small uncrewed lifting-body test vehicle boosted to scramjet test conditions by a modified Pegasus rocket launched from a NASA B-52. It used gaseous hydrogen and an airframe-integrated scramjet, reaching Mach 6.8 and then about Mach 9.6 in 2004. It was single-use and splashed into the Pacific after data collection.
Its operational value is research data, not fielded combat capability.
The X-43A was never an operational weapon or aircraft. Its value is research data for hypersonic missiles, high-speed aircraft, and reusable launch concepts. The page should present it as an experimental technology demonstrator, correcting any impression that it was an in-service military platform.
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