GE Aerospace reported it successfully demonstrated a hypersonic dual-mode ramjet it said could make possible “high-speed flight and longer range” for multi-mission aircraft. The developer also noted the new engine is part of a portfolio of hypersonic jet propulsion technologies it has in development.
A ramjet is jet engine type in which the air drawn in for combustion is compressed only by the aircraft’s forward motion. It’s a simple design that is most efficient at supersonic speeds, but a dual-mode ramjet is capable of operating in subsonic and supersonic mode (the latter referred to as a “scramjet.”)
According to GE, the new dual-mode ramjet began testing just four months ago, in March 2024, and 11 months after the design effort began. "The rapid progression from design to testing underscores our commitment to driving innovation in hypersonic technologies,” stated GE Aerospace’s Amy Gowder, president and CEO of Defense & Systems. “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."
Testing of the dual-mode ramjet was conducted at GE Aerospace’s high-speed propulsion testing center near Cincinnati. The “promising results” exceeded performance expectations, it reported, and demonstrated a threefold (3X) increase in airflow compared to previously flight-tested hypersonic technology demonstrators.
“The technology’s robust performance paves the way for the next phase of development, which will focus on continued testing and technology demonstration in alignment with our roadmap for integrated high-speed propulsion solutions,” according to Mark Rettig, vice president & general manager of Edison Works Business & Technology Development at GE Aerospace.
