Scramjets

Overview

With its long history in the development of hypersonic engines, L3Harris is considered to be the leader in fuel-cooled hydrocarbon technology. We are currently developing a wide range of hypersonic propulsion system technologies applicable to aircraft and missiles, including high speed weapons, hypersonic cruise vehicles with rapid global reach for reconnaissance and strike missions, and concepts that will provide enhanced access to space.

On May 26, 2010, the X-51A WaveRider hypersonic vehicle, powered by L3Harris' scramjet engine, achieved aviation history by making the longest-ever supersonic combustion ramjet-powered flight.

L3Harris is developing propulsion solutions for hypersonic boosters that have to operate in all flight regimes. These include captive carry air launched, ground launched and sub-surface launch. Each regime has its own unique operating requirements and L3Harris is providing solutions that perform in all of them.

Key Features

L3Harris is a leader in Scramjet Technology. Scramjet propulsion systems include:

  • Dual Combustion Ramjet (DCR)
Dual Combustion Ramjet (DCR)
  • Core-Burning Dual Mode Ramjet
Core-Burning Dual Mode Ramjet

Dual Combustion Ramjet (DCR)

Our Dual Combustion Ramjet (DCR) Engine Cycle has mature propulsion performance and structural durability.

Dual Mode Ramjet (DMRJ AKA Scramjet)

Our Dual Mode Ramjet (DMRJ, aka "Scramjet") Engine Technology offers the following features:

  • Lighter Weight
  • Reduced Heat Load
  • Better Operability and higher Specific Thrust

A Dual Mode Ramjet is a Propulsion System which, dependent on the Flight Mach Number, operates in two Modes.

  • Mode 1: As a Ramjet With High Mach but Sub-sonic Combustion; the “Throat” is provided through Thermal Choking. An “Isolater” is required for lower Mach operation to provide a Combustor Entrance Pressure higher than the Combustion Pressure.
  • Mode 2: As a Scramjet With Supersonic Combustion.

Primary challenges are Fuel Conditioning, Vaporization, Mixing, and Combustion and Thermal Management.

DMRJs are suitable for Long Range Missiles and Reusable HCVs.

Media Gallery

Advancing Hypersonics –Aerojet Rocketdyne’s Scramjet Engine Makes Hypersonics History
The X-51A successfully made the longest supersonic combustion ramjet-powered hypersonic flight to date off the southern Califolrnia coast on May 26, 2008. Photo courtesy: NASA
Hypersonics
Hypersonics
Hypersonics
X-51A
Advancing Hypersonics –Aerojet Rocketdyne’s Scramjet Engine Makes Hypersonics History

Advancing Hypersonics – L3Harris' Scramjet Engine Makes Hypersonics History

The X-51A successfully made the longest supersonic combustion ramjet-powered hypersonic flight to date off the southern Califolrnia coast on May 26, 2008. Photo courtesy: NASA

The X-51A successfully made the longest supersonic combustion scramjet-powered hypersonic flight to date off the southern Califolrnia coast on May 26, 2008. (Credit: NASA)

Hypersonics
Hypersonics
Hypersonics
X-51A

X-51A

Latest News

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Editorial | 12. 18. 2024

Factories of the Future: L3Harris Builds on Production Increases with Cooperative Agreement

Building on recent solid rocket motor production increases, L3Harris marks another major milestone in executing the $215.6M cooperative agreement the company signed with the DoD to support increased demand for tactical missiles, like Javelin, Stinger and GMLRS.

L3Harris prepares land in Camden, Arkansas, for new roads, installation of utilities and construction of new facilities as it marks another major milestone in executing the $215.6M cooperative agreement the company signed with the DoD.

Editorial | 12. 18. 2024

Factories of the Future: L3Harris Builds on Production Increases with Cooperative Agreement

A Standard Missile-3 Block IIA is fired from a Vertical Launching System on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam as part of Flight Experiment Mission-02. The Missile Defense Agency, in cooperation with U.S. Department of Defense partners, successfully conducted FEM-02 on December 10, 2024. Photo credit: Missile Defense Agency

Press release | 12. 12. 2024

L3Harris Plays Key Role in Successful Missile Defense Test

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Editorial | 11. 14. 2024

L3Harris Technologies Begins Operations at New Solid Rocket Motor Propellant Processing Facility

L3Harris Solid Rocket Motors

Press release | 11. 07. 2024

L3Harris Solid Rocket Motors Soar in Successful Flight Test

From sub-orbital space to the black depths of the sea, L3Harris is equipped to support multi-domain defense capabilities. (Photo Credit: L3Harris)

Editorial | 10. 08. 2024

From Sea to Space: L3Harris Provides Multi-domain Defense Solutions

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Related Capabilities

Hypersonics

Hypersonics

L3Harris teamed with the United States Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Boeing on the X-51A Scramjet Engine demo.

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