GE Aerospace and Lockheed Martin have completed a series of engine tests demonstrating a liquid-fuelled rotating detonation ramjet intended for hypersonic missile applications, according to the companies.
The testing marks the first technical effort conducted under a broader joint technology development arrangement between the two firms. The work was carried out at the GE Aerospace Research Center in Niskayuna, New York, where engineers assessed ignition and cruise conditions for the experimental propulsion system.
According to the companies, the rotating detonation ramjet uses detonation waves to combust fuel and air rather than conventional continuous combustion. This approach is intended to improve thrust and fuel efficiency while reducing overall engine size and weight.
GE Aerospace said the compact design could allow for greater fuel or payload capacity within a missile airframe, while also enabling ignition at lower speeds. This, in turn, could reduce the size of booster systems required to initiate ramjet operation, according to the organisations.
Mark Rettig, vice president and general manager of Edison Works Advanced Programs at GE Aerospace, said: “GE Aerospace’s hypersonic capabilities continue to advance at a rapid pace, and this collaboration with Lockheed Martin is another step forward in our journey.”
He added: “The testing on the rotating detonation ramjet and inlet exceeded expectations, and we are excited about this collaboration to continue maturing our advanced air-breathing hypersonic propulsion technologies.”
Lockheed Martin said the effort builds on its experience with ramjet inlet design, combined with GE Aerospace’s rotating detonation combustion technology. The inlet is intended to manage high-speed airflow into the combustor during sustained high-speed flight, according to the company.
Randy Crites, vice president and general manager at Lockheed Martin Advanced Programs, said: “Following two years of internal investment, this demonstration is a testament to the power of collaboration, innovation and joint commitment to get affordable capability into the hands of warfighters at the speed of relevance.”
He added: “This compact ramjet applies Lockheed Martin’s expertise in ramjet inlets and offers extended range at extreme speeds.”
During the test series, engineers injected airflow into the inlet to replicate supersonic flight conditions across a range of speeds and altitudes, including higher operating altitudes where reduced air density presents challenges for stable combustion, according to the companies.
GE Aerospace and Lockheed Martin said further maturation of the ramjet technology is planned throughout 2026 as part of continued hypersonic propulsion development efforts.
