Fri, Jul 07, 2006
First U.S. Ramjet to Enter Production in More Than 40
Years
Aerojet has landed a contract award
from Orbital Sciences for full-rate production of the Aerojet MARC
R282 ramjet engine as part of the U.S. Navy's "Coyote" Supersonic
Sea-Skimming Target (SSST) missile program. A ramjet is a
propulsion system that operates at higher speeds than conventional
turbine engines. Aerojet's ramjet engine powers the Coyote missile
during the extended high-speed cruise phase of flight at up to
three times the speed of sound.
Aerojet developed the world's first variable flow ducted rocket
(VFDR) ramjet for SSST, and is the only company that is producing
high speed ramjet missile propulsion for U.S. military needs.
Aerojet developed this low-cost design solution specifically for
military missile applications.
The Coyote production contract is the culmination of Aerojet's
successful five-year MARC R282 ramjet development program that
included five successful development flight tests, two low rate
initial production orders, and follows the successful completion of
the first SSST operational flight. Aerojet will produce 19 MARC
R282 ramjet engines under this contract over the next 18
months.
"Aerojet's ramjet technology is world-class and continues to
prove its value for extended ranges, controllable thrust and
affordable high speed," said Aerojet President Scott Neish.
"Aerojet is proud to provide the U.S. Navy and Orbital Sciences
Corporation with ramjet propulsion for the Coyote missile to meet a
long-standing need and looks forward to continued production for
years to come."
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