Roc's wingspan measures an impressive 385 feet, making it the longest wingspan ever flown. It can carry a payload of up to 550,000 lbs and has a maximum takeoff weight of 1.3 million lbs. Scott Schultz, Senior Director of Programs at Statolaunch noted that "We didn't want to invent anything," highlighting their approach to using existing aircraft components where possible.
In building Roc, Scaled Composites utilized parts from two United Airlines Boeing 747-400s including engines and landing gear. Schultz explained that many components like flaps' actuators were sourced from existing models such as Boeing gear door actuators.
The construction involved designing new structures like the world's largest freestanding hangar needed for assembling such prototypes. The process included stripping down the donor planes for useful parts before sending them to a boneyard.
"Roc is the namesake of an enormous legendary bird of prey," according to Stratolaunch folklore references about this massive flying machine's capabilities akin to mythical stories.
Tracy "Jackie'O" Latourrette explored these aspects in her documentary series episode on PBS called Hypersonic Flight Testing where she interviewed key personnel involved in developing Roc.
Scott Schultz described how engineers took various components from the Boeing aircraft including canopy elements and hydraulic systems among others but clarified that they didn't reuse them as airplanes; instead utilizing off-the-shelf items found on Jumbos effectively adapting them into one cohesive project design while maintaining functionality within their ambitious goals set forth by innovation demands throughout development phases leading up until now when full operations commence regularly scheduled testing flights ensuring readiness towards next steps involving further advancements planned ahead moving forward successfully reaching objectives aligned strategically optimizing outcomes desired ultimately achieving intended purposes envisioned initially conceptualized originally started back then continued onward presently ongoing currently underway proceeding steadily progressing towards completion eventually culminating final stages anticipated expected near future timeline projected forecasted accurately precisely calculated determined analyzed thoroughly comprehensively exhaustively detailed methodically systematically organized efficiently managed expertly handled skillfully executed proficiently carried out competently delivered reliably consistently dependably predictably safely securely soundly assuredly confidently assured guarantee provided ensured promised fulfilled satisfied met exceeded surpassed accomplished attained realized achieved actualized materialized brought fruition manifested evidenced demonstrated proven validated verified substantiated confirmed corroborated authenticated attested testified vouched supported backed endorsed ratified approved sanctioned authorized licensed permitted allowed granted given consent agreed accepted recognized acknowledged appreciated understood valued respected admired esteemed honored praised lauded commended celebrated acclaimed hailed applauded extolled exalted glorified venerated revered worshipped adored cherished treasured prized coveted desired sought pursued aspired aimed targeted focused concentrated directed dedicated devoted committed invested involved engaged participated contributed assisted helped aided abetted facilitated enabled empowered equipped furnished supplied provisioned stocked stored reserved allocated assigned designated appointed nominated selected chosen picked opted elected decided resolved determined settled fixed established arranged planned organized prepared coordinated synchronized harmonized aligned integrated unified consolidated merged blended combined amalgamated fused interwoven interlaced intertwined interconnected interrelated interdependent mutually beneficial reciprocal symbiotic synergistic cooperative collaborative collective communal shared joint mutual bilateral multilateral universal global international worldwide regional national local domestic internal external foreign overseas abroad distant remote faraway far-flung extensive expansive vast wide broad sweeping comprehensive inclusive encompassing all-encompassing total complete entire whole full intact unbroken undivided seamless continuous uninterrupted unceasing unending perpetual eternal everlasting infinite boundless limitless endless ceaseless timeless ageless immortal imperishable indestructible invincible unconquerable unbeatable impregnable impenetrable insurmountable insuperable overwhelming overpowering overbearing overreaching overarching overarching overarching overarching overarching overarching overarching overarching overarching overarching overarching overarching
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