Hypersonic XLC was a roller coaster located at Kings Dominion in Doswell, Virginia. Hypersonic was built by S&S Worldwide, a company specializing in air-powered rides, and was the first compressed air launch coaster in the world. Hypersonic was S&S Worldwide's actual prototype for an air-launched coaster, called Thrust Air 2000. The ride was originally fabricated by Intermountain Lift, Inc. It was reconstructed at Kings Dominion after being moved from its original location in Utah. S&S Worldwide also greatly modified the section following the 90° drop to accommodate Kings Dominion's landscape and to properly bank the turn. Hypersonic XLC suffered extended downtime, and was closed for nearly three monthsat the beginning of Kings Dominion's 2002 season. In 2007, Hypersonic XLC was closed and later dismantled. The platform is all that remains at the ride's former location between Grizzly and Twisted Timbers.
After a launch from 0 to in 1.8 seconds up a 90° incline, the ride crested a hill, and without fully slowing, plummeted down a 90° dive. Next, the coaster performed a banked left turn, went through a smaller banked right turn, and skirted a small hill before heading into the brake run.
Launch system
Hypersonic XLC's launch system was comparatively new technology utilizing compressed air to launch the ride train. It is very similar to the launch system used to launch Space Shot rides, also developed by S&S Worldwide. Characteristics of compressed air launches are shorter runways and quicker acceleration, when compared to hydraulic and LIM/LSM launch platforms. The compressed air launch system is used on the world's fastest accelerating ride, Do-Dodonpa, which accelerates to in just 1.56 seconds. It was also used on Ring Racer. Rides such as Kingda Ka and Top Thrill Dragster have a higher top speed than Dodonpa, but Dodonpa is the ride with the quickest acceleration.
Current status
During the 2006 off-season, Kings Dominion put Hypersonic XLC up for sale. In January 2008, the park removed Hypersonic from its web site. On the park's opening day on March 22, 2008, Hypersonic XLC had been disassembled and was placed in its current laydown yard, along part of the park's back road.
