X-313 "SpeedDemon" - The Kerbal Griller

The Kerbin Military issued a Procurement for the X-313 Hypersonic Experimental Jet, to research sustainable Hypersonic flight.

The Program Objectives were (surprisingly) clear:

• Development of a minimal Test Craft capable of:
  1. Keep sustainable flight at Angels 80 minimum (80.000 feet, or around 24.400 M)
  2. Keep sustainable supersonic speeds in dry trust
  3. Is able to travel across Kerbin in one shot. Ideally, without refueling
  4. Can reach and sustain hypersonic speeds for short periods of time, no less than 10 minutes.
• No fairings are allowed, the busy launch schedule on KSC exhausted the current manufacturing capabilities of the industry, making them too much expensive.
• The Program Manager is very religious and forbade Kraken exploitage by considering them blasphemous.
• The Subject Craft should be reusable, maintainable, upgradable and relatively cost efficient;
• The Subject Craft will be used as a platform for further developments on Sustainable Hypersonic Flight.

KSC responded with a proposal, subcontracting /L Aerospace for the development of the craft and technologies, under their supervision.

Promotional picture. Took before take off - just in case.