Jay Clemens
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has kicked off a fresh effort to develop a new aircraft propulsion system that could propel an aircraft up to hypersonic speeds.
DARPA said Friday it started the Advanced Full Range Engine program in search of a turbine-based combined cycle engine concept for use in low-speed operations and a dual-mode ramjet in high-speed operations.
“Instead of designing an entirely new kind of engine, we’re envisioning an inventive hybrid system that would combine and improve upon the best of off-the-shelf turbine and ramjet/scramjet technologies,†said Christopher Clay, a DARPA program manager.
Clay added the technology is intended as feasible with new developments in manufacturing methods, modeling and other disciplines.
DARPA envisions the hybrid engine as an incorporation of two components that would use a common forward-facing air intake and rear-facing exhaust nozzle for thrust.
The program’s goal is to create and test technologies in full scale and, if the testing succeeds, conduct flight testing for the hybrid engine technology.
DARPA has scheduled a Proposers Day for July 13 and 14 at its conference center in Arlington, Virginia, to brief industry on the program’s technical objectives.
