HYPERSONIC SCRAMJET ENGINE

The leader in fuel-cooled hydrocarbon technology.

Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne is uniquely positioned to offer a variety of liquid-fueled propulsion system concepts for hypersonic flight. At the heart of these systems is a dual-mode scramjet, allowing the engine to function as a subsonic combustion ramjet at low supersonic speeds (Mach 3-5) and as a supersonic combustion ramjet (scramjet) at high supersonic speeds (greater than Mach 5).

With its long history in the development of hypersonic engines, Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne is considered to be the leader in fuel-cooled hydrocarbon technology. We are currently developing a wide range of hypersonic propulsion system technologies applicable to aircraft and missiles, including high speed weapons, hypersonic cruise vehicles with rapid global reach for reconnaissance and strike missions, and concepts that will provide enhanced access to space.

On May 26, 2010, the X-51A WaveRider hypersonic vehicle, powered by Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne's scramjet engine, achieved aviation history by making the longest-ever supersonic combustion ramjet-powered flight.