The companies GE Aerospace and Lockheed Martin unveiled an innovative aerospace development: the newest rotating detonation ramjet engine (RDRJ). This device is intended to significantly boost the efficiency of hypersonic flight. Its foundation lies in a unique fusion of two advanced technologies: a turbine-less ramjet engine and the principle of detonation combustion of fuel. Such an approach allows bypassing limitations inherent to traditional systems and achieving substantial fuel economy.
The chief distinction of ramjet engines is the absence of moving parts, as air is compressed within them due to the high speed of the aircraft itself, rather than mechanical compressors. However, usually, reaching a speed of about Mach 3 is required to start the combustion process, compelling the use of potent and heavy booster accelerators. Engineers resolved this issue utilizing rotating detonation technology. A controlled supersonic wave of fuel explosion is created inside a cylinder, which sustains the combustion process even without prior acceleration to extreme speeds.
The novel RDRJ engine demonstrates impressive metrics: its efficiency is 25% greater than that of standard ramjet counterparts. Consequently, the unit has become more compact and lighter. It possesses the capacity to adapt to various flight regimes—from subsonic to hypersonic speeds. This versatility permits a reduction in the demands placed on rocket boosters and makes mass production of hypersonic missiles feasible.
Specialists at Lockheed Martin designed a particular air intake for the engine, which allows switching between modes of conventional ramjet and supersonic combustion. This is crucially important for stable operation across diverse altitudes and velocities. Company Vice President Randy Crites noted that this compact engine leverages accrued expertise in creating air intakes and ensures extended flight range, reinforcing the nation’s hypersonic capabilities.
The introduction of the new engine opens broad prospects for both military and civilian aviation. Hypersonic vehicles, traveling five times the speed of sound, are becoming more attainable due to the compactness and efficiency of the new power plant. The combination of the ramjet principle with detonation burning creates a powerful solution, where complex hydrodynamic calculations guarantee operational stability even in extreme flight conditions.
About the Author
