In his graduate studies at Purdue University, Bethel University physics alumnus Matt Borg '03 is doing research critical to designing an advanced aircraft called the X-51A, powered by engines called scramjets.

"The X-51A test vehicle is expected to evolve into missiles capable of flying at Mach 6--or six times the speed of sound--enabling them to hit mobile "time-critical" targets," Purdue University explains in a news release. "Scramjets also may propel future military and civilian space planes."

Bethel University Alumnus Matt Borg '03 holds a model of an advanced aircraft called the X-51A, which will be powered by engines called scramjets and capable of flying at Mach 6, or six times the speed of sound. Photo courtesy of Purdue University.

The X-51 project is led by the Air Force Research Laboratory and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, and the vehicle is being built by Pratt & Whitney and the Boeing Co. Purdue engineers are part of a national team of researchers from government, academia and industry handling different aspects of the vehicle.

Click here to go to the Purdue University website and view their news release.