This animated video offers a speed comparison between a subsonic Lockheed C-5 Galaxy flying at Mach 0.6, a supersonic F/-18 Hornet nipping along at Mach 1.5 and the hypersonic HTV-2 smashing them both at Mach 20.
The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has this week released footage of its recent test flight of its HTV-2 (Hypersonic Test Vehicle), which reaches a blinding speed of Mach 20. In releasing this footage, DARPA Director Regina Dugan said it gives a, "a visceral feel for what it means to fly at Mach 20". In reality though, it's hard to make out much of anything from the actual footage, which is why DARPA has concurrently released the below animated video that offers a speed comparison. Watch this animated video, and then click here to watch the real thing.
An artist's impression of the HTV-2 re-entry.
