This book sketches key design, development, and engineering issues. To think up an airbreathing hypersonic aircraft is one thing; to design, develop, and produce it is another one. Airframe-propulsion integration plays a central role, with six integration types identified. Most demanding is that of a large aircraft with both lift and propulsion located at its lower side—an approach exemplified early by the US National Aerospace Plane. Topics treated are the flight environment, design sensi...