Emerging hypersonic propulsion technologyCurrently there is a renewal of interest in the utilization of air breathing engines for hypersonic flight. The use of such engines in accelerative missions is discussed, and the nature of the trade-off between engine thrust-to-weight ratio and specific impulse is highlighted. It is also pointed out that the use of a cryogenic fuel such as liquid hydrogen offers the opportunity to develop both precooled derivatives of turboaccelerator engines and new cryogenic engine cycles, where the heat exchange process plays a significant role in the engine concept. The continuing challenges of developing high speed supersonic combustion ramjet engines are discussed. The paper concludes with a brief review of the difficult discipline of vehicle integration, and the challenges of both ground and flight testing.
Document ID
19890026132
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Curran, E. T. (USAF, Aero Propulsion Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB OH, United States)
Beach, H. L., Jr. (NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)