GE Aerospace’s Revolutionary Hypersonic Dual-Mode Ramjet Engine
TL;DR: GE Aerospace has developed a cutting-edge hypersonic dual-mode ramjet engine that can efficiently operate at both lower and extremely high Mach speeds. This groundbreaking technology offers up to 3 times the airflow of existing ramjet solutions, leading to improved fuel efficiency, extended range, and expanded applications.
Within just 15 months, GE and its partners successfully designed and tested a new dual-mode ramjet prototype. By incorporating rotating detonation combustion (RDC), the prototype is able to operate in lower Mach ranges, setting it apart from traditional ramjets.
The testing of GE’s prototype began in March 2024 and has shown promising results, with a significant increase in airflow compared to other hypersonic technology demonstrators.
A ramjet engine relies on forward motion to provide air for combustion, unlike turbojets found in commercial aircraft that compress incoming air using a turbine before ignition.
Mark Rettig, VP & General Manager of Edison Works Business & Technology at GE Aerospace, expressed excitement about the prototype’s performance and the future of high-speed propulsion solutions.
While ramjets are most efficient at supersonic speeds, they are primarily used in experimental vehicles and defense applications, not commercial airlines.
Reflecting on the past success of the Concorde supersonic jet, there is potential for fast travel to make a comeback in the future.
