Venus Aerospace has tested a drone fitted with a new type of rocket engine called a rotating detonation rocket engine (RDRE). This test achieved speeds close to the speed of sound (Mach 0.9).
An RDRE works via a continuously rotating detonation wave in a ring-shaped chamber, as opposed to a conventional rocket that burns fuel continuously. This makes the RDRE potentially 15% more fuel efficient.
In the test, the 8-foot drone was carried to 12,000 feet by a plane and then activated its 1,200-pound thrust RDRE to fly autonomously for 10 miles at high speed. This proved the viability of the new engine technology.
RDREs could enable future hypersonic aircraft that fly at speeds like Mach 9, or over 6,800 mph. This would allow transcontinental flights within an hour.
Challenges include the loud repetitive detonations of the engine and stresses from abrupt accelerations compared to jet engines.
Venus Aerospace’s long term goal is developing supersonic commercial aircraft using RDRE technology. They are working with DARPA on military applications as well.
Source: livescience
