Development of a new concept for a solid-fueled ramjet using a rotating detonation engine (RDE) for hypersonic air-breathing propulsion at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), a part of the University of Alabama System, has attracted a three-year, $1.5 million grant.
University of Alabama Huntsville - New concept for rotating detonation ramjet engine gets hypersonics fundinghttps://www.uah.edu/news/items/new-concept-for-rotating-detonation-ramjet-engine-gets-hypersonics-fundingQuoteDevelopment of a new concept for a solid-fueled ramjet using a rotating detonation engine (RDE) for hypersonic air-breathing propulsion at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), a part of the University of Alabama System, has attracted a three-year, $1.5 million grant.
Tests of a secret new tactical missile powered by a rotating detonation engine at the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake, California, appear to show evidence of significant recent advances in transforming this breakthrough concept into a practical high-speed propulsion system.
DARPA’S NEW MISSILE HINTS AT TRULY GAME-CHANGING TECHNOLOGYAlex Hollings | July 26, 2022Last week, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) quietly unveiled a new high-speed missile program called Gambit. The program is meant to leverage a novel method of propulsion that could have far-reaching implications not just in terms of weapons development, but for high-speed aircraft and even in how the Navy’s warships are powered.This propulsion system, known as a rotation detonation engine (RDE), has the potential to be lighter than existing jet engines while offering a significant boost in power output, range, and fuel efficiency.The Gambit missile is just one of a number of programs placing a renewed focus on RDE technology, though for the most part, these systems have managed to fly under the media’s radar. That is, except for Aviation Week & Space Technology Defense Editor Steve Trimble, who has covered these recent developments at length. Trimble was kind enough to discuss that work with me as I sought to better understand just how big a deal this technology could be.
DARPA’s new missile hints at truly game-changing technologyQuote from: sandboxx.usDARPA’S NEW MISSILE HINTS AT TRULY GAME-CHANGING TECHNOLOGYAlex Hollings | July 26, 2022Last week, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) quietly unveiled a new high-speed missile program called Gambit. The program is meant to leverage a novel method of propulsion that could have far-reaching implications not just in terms of weapons development, but for high-speed aircraft and even in how the Navy’s warships are powered.This propulsion system, known as a rotation detonation engine (RDE), has the potential to be lighter than existing jet engines while offering a significant boost in power output, range, and fuel efficiency.The Gambit missile is just one of a number of programs placing a renewed focus on RDE technology, though for the most part, these systems have managed to fly under the media’s radar. That is, except for Aviation Week & Space Technology Defense Editor Steve Trimble, who has covered these recent developments at length. Trimble was kind enough to discuss that work with me as I sought to better understand just how big a deal this technology could be.
I remember Pulse Detonation engines being quite loud. Is RDE also deafeningly loud?
Quote from: JayWee on 08/06/2022 08:45 pmI remember Pulse Detonation engines being quite loud. Is RDE also deafeningly loud?There are a number of videos on Youtube of RDE in operation:I'd like to know though -- what limits the size of an RDE?With regular rocket engines, the size of the combustion chamber seems to be limited by the onset of combustion instabilities. But with RDE, we're dealing with constant volume combustion (aka. detonation) and also a different geometry.Is there any reason why it wouldn't be possible to build an RDE that's as big as a house?RDE are also being researched for stationary power generation, including for powerplants on naval ships which can get quite large in size.What limits how big an RDE can get?
I get the impression the annulus needs to be quite thin to maintain control, so volume of the annulus might favor multiple chambers versus a big one? They have built race track pattern annuluses though (straight segments made of transparent material to allow videoing) but I suspect that can't scale easily.But, it's still early days, so there isn't much work yet on concentric annulus designs, or any other alternative layouts that could take the pressure. Hrm, I wonder if is possible to rearrange the straight segment in the race track style, to resemble the half-circle waves like the edge of lasagna noodles?
NASA's Advanced Rotating Detonation Variant Additive Rocket Chamber (ARDVARC-ACO) program is edging up to TRL 4https://techport.nasa.gov/view/116357
There's an image from Univeristy of Central Florida showing the rough layout. Interesting that the fixed radius segment of the ignition annulus is so short. I would have expected a longer fixed radius cylinder section before the transition down the chamber to the throat/nozzle for containing/managing the rotating wave.
