Wed, May 06, 2009
OK... Around Here That WINS Bragging Rights
Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne's
PWR-9221FJ dual-mode ramjet engine has successfully completed its
first ground test at Mach 4 flight conditions at the Arnold
Engineering Development Center, Tullahoma, Tenn. PWR tells us that
a dual-mode ramjet engine is a key technology for developing
reusable hypersonic vehicles.
"Successful demonstration of the dual-mode ramjet engine
integrated with a variable geometry inlet and exhaust nozzle sets
the stage for future turbine-based, combined-cycle propulsion and
flight demonstration opportunities," said Cal DeFreese, program
manager, Falcon Combined-Cycle Engine Technology (FaCET), Pratt
& Whitney Rocketdyne.
"Current testing is focused on
validating the operability and robustness of the dual-mode ramjet
design during simulated transitions from turbojet to ramjet
propulsion modes."
A dual-mode ramjet engine is designed to operate as both a
ramjet at moderate supersonic speeds (up to Mach 5) and a scramjet
at hypersonic speeds (greater than Mach 5). This broad range of
operational capability is required for turbine-based,
combined-cycle propulsion that would enable a vehicle to take off
from and land on a conventional runway, and travel at speeds up to
Mach 6.
The tests are being conducted as part of the Defense Advanced
Research Projects Agency's FaCET program; Pratt & Whitney
Rocketdyne is a principal contractor to Lockheed Martin on the
program. Additional tests over the next two months are designed to
check the integrated system performance from Mach 3 to Mach 6
flight conditions.
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