GE Aerospace Achieves Milestone in Solid Fuel Ramjet Technology Through Successful Flight Tests
TL;DR
GE Aerospace's successful supersonic ramjet tests provide a strategic advantage in hypersonic propulsion technology, positioning the company ahead in defense and aerospace markets.
GE Aerospace conducted three captive carry flight tests using an F-104 aircraft to validate solid fuel ramjet propulsion technology in realistic atmospheric conditions.
This advancement in hypersonic propulsion technology contributes to national security and supports the development of safer, more efficient future aerospace systems.
GE Aerospace achieved a major milestone by successfully testing solid fuel ramjet technology at supersonic speeds aboard a Starfighters F-104 aircraft.
Found this article helpful?
Share it with your network and spread the knowledge!
GE Aerospace announced the successful completion of supersonic captive carry flight tests for its Atmospheric Test of Launched Airbreathing System (ATLAS) Flight Test Vehicle, marking a critical advancement in solid fuel ramjet propulsion technology. The tests represent the first flight demonstration of GE Aerospace's solid fuel ramjet technology and were conducted using a Starfighters F-104 aircraft as the carrier platform.
The ATLAS program involved three successful flights where the system achieved supersonic speeds while being carried aloft. According to Mark Rettig, vice president and general manager of Edison Works Business & Technology Development at GE Aerospace, captive carry testing of reusable flight test hardware enables more frequent testing in realistic atmospheric conditions, providing better understanding of system behavior. This testing methodology allows for accelerated development cycles and more comprehensive data collection compared to traditional ground-based testing.
The ATLAS project received funding through the Department of War via Title III of the Defense Production Act, with the objective of scaling up air-breathing propulsion technology to extend the range of munitions. This phase of the program was specifically designed to demonstrate and validate key performance capabilities of solid fuel ramjets during actual flight conditions. The successful tests provide essential insights for future systems requiring enhanced speed, range, and responsiveness in military applications.
These flight tests constitute one component of GE Aerospace's broader investments in advanced high-speed and hypersonic propulsion technologies. The company's strategic acquisitions, including the 2022 purchase of Innoveering, have accelerated its hypersonics portfolio development. Additionally, GE Aerospace has made significant infrastructure upgrades at its facilities in Evendale, Ohio; Bohemia, New York; and Niskayuna, New York. These enhancements will enable higher-Mach, mission-relevant testing at scales previously unattainable, positioning the company at the forefront of propulsion technology development.
The successful demonstration of solid fuel ramjet technology has implications for future defense systems, potentially enabling longer-range munitions with improved performance characteristics. The technology could contribute to enhanced national security capabilities while advancing the broader field of aerospace propulsion. More information about GE Aerospace's innovations can be found at https://www.geaerospace.com.
Curated from citybiz
