GE and Lockheed finish ramjet tests to boost hypersonic missile range

On January 14, GE Aerospace and Lockheed Martin announced successful tests of a new propulsion system combining a liquid-fueled rotating detonation ramjet with a dual-mode tactical inlet, aimed at improving efficiency for hypersonic missiles flying above Mach 5 (over 3,800 mph). This innovation addresses a major challenge in hypersonic flight: the efficiency gap between launch and sustained high-speed cruise. Traditional ramjets require speeds around Mach 3 to ignite, necessitating large rocket boosters that add weight and limit range. The rotating detonation engine, which uses continuous supersonic detonation waves in a cylindrical chamber, offers about 25% greater efficiency than conventional combustion, operates at lower speeds, and can transition smoothly between ramjet and scramjet modes, reducing reliance on heavy boosters. Lockheed Martin’s tactical inlet complements this engine by managing airflow at varying speeds and altitudes, ensuring stable combustion despite complex shockwave interactions at hypersonic velocities. This inlet adapts to changing