// ORBITAL LOGISTICS AND PROPULSION TERM
Ramjet
A ramjet is a type of jet engine that uses the forward motion of the aircraft to compress incoming air, rather than a fan or compressor, making it efficient at very high speeds.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
A ramjet is an air-breathing jet engine that utilizes the ram effect of the vehicle's forward motion to compress incoming air for combustion, operating efficiently at supersonic speeds (Mach 3-6) without rotating compressors or turbines.
BACKGROUND
Outer space, or simply space, is the expanse that exists beyond Earth's atmosphere and between celestial bodies. It contains ultra-low levels of particle densities, constituting a near-perfect vacuum of predominantly hydrogen and helium plasma, permeated by electromagnetic radiation, cosmic rays, neutrinos, magnetic fields and dust. The baseline temperature of outer space, as set by the background radiation from the Big Bang, is 2.7 kelvins.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- ram air jet
- supersonic combustionless engine
USAGE NOTE
Ramjets are considered for high-speed atmospheric flight and as upper stages for hypersonic vehicles.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to Ramjet.
A European multinational developer of missiles. They produce the Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile, which is famously powered by a throttleable ducted ramjet, allowing it to maintain high speed and maneuverability over long distances.
A major American rocket and missile propulsion manufacturer. They have extensive experience developing and testing ramjet and scramjet engines for hypersonic flight vehicles, including contributions to programs like the X-51A Waverider and the Hypersonic Air-breathing Weapon Concept (HAWC).
A leading U.S. defense contractor heavily involved in hypersonic weapons development. The company designs and manufactures scramjet engines for hypersonic cruise missiles, and was a key developer for the U.S. Air Force's HAWC program.
A major aerospace and defense company that develops advanced air-breathing propulsion systems. Raytheon is a prime contractor for hypersonic weapons that utilize ramjet and scramjet technology, including their own version of the HAWC vehicle.
A British aerospace manufacturer developing the SABRE (Synergetic Air-Breathing Rocket Engine), a hybrid engine that combines elements of a jet engine with a rocket. In its air-breathing mode, it functions similarly to a ramjet at very high speeds.
A global aerospace and defense company deeply invested in hypersonic systems. Lockheed Martin develops air-breathing hypersonic cruise missiles that rely on ramjet or scramjet propulsion for sustained high-speed flight.
India's national defense research agency. DRDO has successfully developed and tested its own scramjet propulsion system as part of the Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV) program, aiming to power future hypersonic missiles.
The Japanese national aerospace and space agency. JAXA conducts research and flight experiments on hypersonic propulsion, including ramjet and scramjet engines, as part of its long-term vision for reusable space transportation systems and high-speed aircraft.