GE Aerospace's Hypersonic Engine Breakthrough: RDC Tests Exceed Expectations
GE Aerospace, the leading provider of aerospace engineering solutions, has achieved a significant milestone in hypersonic engine technology. The company's test campaign for rotating detonation combustion (RDC) engines exceeded expectations, showcasing robust operation and a substantial increase in engine airflow.
The engines, tested at GE Aerospace's Research Center in Niskayuna, New York, demonstrated a threefold increase in airflow compared to previous hypersonic technology demonstrators. This breakthrough was made possible through collaboration between GE Aerospace engineers, GE Aerospace-Innoveering, and the GE Aerospace Research Center.
GE Aerospace's rotating detonation combustion designs are scalable. In just 10 months, the team progressed from a legacy ramjet to a 3X scale demonstrator with RDC. The company has successfully demonstrated two RDC engines: a missile-scale ramjet and a dual-mode ramjet for high-speed aircraft. RDC enables higher thrust and improved efficiency at a smaller engine size and weight compared to traditional ramjet engines.
GE Aerospace's Edison Works, dedicated to developing next-generation defense propulsion and systems, has driven this innovation. The successful development and testing of RDC engines bring us closer to advanced hypersonic capabilities. Key aerospace companies, including Rolls-Royce and BAE Systems, are involved in similar developments for next-generation jet engines, potentially including those for the Global Combat Air Programme.
