Venus Aerospace continues to blaze a trail in the advanced aviation space with its rotary detonation ramjet (VDR2) engine , designed to power aircraft and drones to hypersonic speeds . Announcing the development, Venus Aerospace Co-Founder and CTO Dr Andrew Duggleby highlighted the engine ’s potential to transform hypersonic economics and improve efficiency in high-altitude, high-speed flight.
Presentation of the VDR2 ramjet engine. Source: Venus Aerospace
How does the VDR2 ramjet engine work?
The VDR2 combines ramjet and rotary detonation engine propulsion technology, achieving speeds of up to Mach 6 with 15% greater efficiency than conventional engines. The system is designed to operate from takeoff to hypersonic speeds , eliminating the need for complex mechanical components thanks to its optimized design.
The collaboration between Venus Aerospace and Velontra is key to the development of the VDR2. Velontra, recognized for its expertise in high-speed air combustion, will be a strategic partner in the flight testing of the engine. These tests will be conducted on an unmanned drone starting in 2025 , representing a fundamental step towards the implementation of hypersonic flight in both commercial and defense applications.
“This engine makes hypersonic economics a reality. We are excited to work with Velontra to bring the technology to the skies. “Duggleby said. Velontra COO Eric Briggs stressed the importance of the collaboration, saying his team is eager to refine a concept that has so far existed largely in theory.
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Source and internal photo: Venus Aerospace
Main photo: shutterstock