Article
Article
Scramjet
Article By:
Castro, Joaquin H. Pratt and Whitney, West Palm Beach, Florida.
Last reviewed:January 2020
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.802420
An air-breathing jet engine that relies for propulsion on the compressing or ramming effect on air taken into the engine inlet at supersonic speeds, normally when the aircraft is traveling at speeds above Mach 4. The term is derived from “supersonic combustion ramjet.” Scramjet technology now in development is expected to make global rapid travel and affordable orbit access a reality in coming years. A breakthrough was realized in the spring of 2003 when a flight-weight scramjet engine was run at 4.5 and 6.5 times the speed of sound (Mach 4.5 and 6.5) using conventional hydrocarbon fuel. More significantly, this represents the first flight-weight, hydrocarbon-fueled scramjet engine. This test was conducted by the Pratt & Whitney Space Propulsion Hydrocarbon Scramjet Engine Technology (HySET) team, in partnership with and sponsored by the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratories (AFRL) Propulsion Directorate. See also: Mach number
The content above is only an excerpt.
About AccessScience
AccessScience provides the most accurate and trustworthy scientific information available.
Recognized as an award-winning gateway to scientific knowledge, AccessScience is an amazing online resource that contains high-quality reference material written specifically for students. Contributors include more than 10,000 highly qualified scientists and 46 Nobel Prize winners.
MORE THAN 8700 articles covering all major scientific disciplines and encompassing the McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science & Technology and McGraw-Hill Yearbook of Science & Technology
115,000-PLUS definitions from the McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms
3000 biographies of notable scientific figures
MORE THAN 19,000 downloadable images and animations illustrating key topics
ENGAGING VIDEOS highlighting the life and work of award-winning scientists
SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER STUDY and additional readings to guide students to deeper understanding and research
LINKS TO CITABLE LITERATURE help students expand their knowledge using primary sources of information
