GE Aerospace Completes Milestone Supersonic Engine Flight Tests
GE Aerospace achieved a significant milestone on September 22, 2023, completing supersonic captive carry flight tests of its Atmospheric Test of Launched Airbreathing System (ATLAS) Flight Test Vehicle. Conducted at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, this series of tests represents a crucial advancement in solid fuel ramjet (SFRJ) propulsion technology. The ATLAS system was successfully carried by a Starfighter F-104 aircraft, reaching supersonic speeds across three flights.
According to the company, the results of these tests validate the in-flight performance of solid fuel ramjets. Mark Rettig, vice president and general manager of Edison Works Business & Technology Development at GE Aerospace, stated, “This marks a pivotal moment for GE Aerospace as we showcase our solid fuel ramjet technology in flight for the first time.” He emphasized that captive carry testing allows for increased testing frequency in realistic atmospheric conditions, enhancing understanding of system behavior.
Pentagon-Funded Development Efforts
The ATLAS project is funded through Title III of the Defense Production Act, with significant backing from the Pentagon. The initiative aims to scale up air-breathing propulsion technology, which is essential for extending the range of future munitions. GE Aerospace indicated that the data collected during the ATLAS program will inform the design of next-generation systems that require higher speed, longer range, and improved responsiveness.
As part of its broader defense strategy, GE Aerospace is investing in numerous high-speed and hypersonic propulsion technologies. The company has been expanding its capabilities in this sector over recent years, including the acquisition of Innoveering in 2022, a firm specializing in hypersonic propulsion systems. Earlier in 2023, GE announced upgrades to its testing infrastructure at facilities in Ohio, New York, and Niskayuna. These enhancements facilitate mission-relevant, higher-Mach testing at scales previously unattainable.
Advancements in Rotating Detonation Combustion
Alongside the ATLAS announcement, GE Aerospace detailed successful demonstrations of two rotating detonation combustion (RDC) engines at its Aerospace Research Center in Niskayuna. The tests featured a missile-scale ramjet and a dual-mode ramjet designed for high-speed aircraft. The results demonstrated robust performance, showcasing a threefold increase in engine airflow compared to earlier hypersonic demonstrators.
Rettig remarked, “We’ve proven that GE Aerospace’s rotating detonation combustion designs are scalable.” He noted the rapid progress made over just ten months, transitioning from a legacy ramjet to a threefold scale demonstrator with RDC. This rapid advancement underscores the maturity of GE’s technology and strengthens its roadmap toward integrated high-speed propulsion solutions.
RDC technology operates by combusting fuel and air through detonation waves, as opposed to traditional combustion methods. This innovative approach allows for higher thrust and efficiency while simultaneously reducing engine size and weight. Testing for this technology commenced in July 2023 at GE’s continuous flow propulsion facility.
The work on these advancements has been made possible through collaboration between GE Aerospace engineers, the Innoveering team, and the company’s research center. These recent milestones build on GE’s achievements in 2024, where it successfully took a dual-mode ramjet from concept to testing in less than one year. GE Aerospace’s Edison Works division continues to lead innovation in defense propulsion and systems, positioning the company at the forefront of the aerospace industry.
