GE Aerospace has demonstrated a dual-mode ramjet engine that could enable the development of more efficient long-range hypersonic aircraft and missiles.
The engine demonstrated a threefold increase in airflow compared to previous hypersonic demonstrators, the company said.
Testing began at an Evendale, Ohio, testing facility in March, just 11 months after the launch of design efforts.
“The rapid progression from design to testing underscores our commitment to driving innovation in hypersonic technologies,” GE Aerospace President and CEO of Defense & Systems Amy Gowder said.
“This milestone not only shows the exceptional talent and dedication of our team but also reaffirms our position as a leader in the pursuit of hypersonic flight.”
Innoveering — a company that specializes in hypersonic propulsion acquired by GE in 2022 — and GE Aerospace’s Research Center collaborated on the effort, led by GE Aerospace’s team of engineers.
Rotating Detonation Combustion
GE explained last year that it utilizes rotating detonation combustion for the dual-mode ramjet engine.
The technology enables a dual-mode ramjet engine to operate at lower than Mach 3, unlike typical air-breathing dual-mode ramjet propulsion, enabling greater range and efficiency.
Compared to traditional combustion technology, detonation is faster and less predictable, generating greater energy from significantly less fuel.
“[Rotating detonation combustion] enables higher thrust generation more efficiently, at an overall smaller engine size and weight, by combusting the fuel through detonation waves instead of a standard combustion system that powers traditional jet engines today,” GE explained.
