Lockheed Martin and GE Aerospace Successfully Test Rotating Detonation Ramjet for Hypersonic Weapons

WASHINGTON : In a significant leap for American hypersonic capabilities, Lockheed Martin  and GE Aerospace  announced today the successful completion of engine tests for a new liquid-fueled rotating detonation ramjet (RDR).

The milestone marks the first major success under a joint technology development agreement between the two aerospace giants, aiming to produce a propulsion system that is not only faster and more powerful but significantly cheaper to manufacture than existing hypersonic engines.

The Breakthrough: "Controlled Explosions"

The test demonstrated the viability of a rotating detonation ramjet, a technology that differs fundamentally from traditional ramjets.

• Old Tech (Scramjets/Ramjets): Conventional engines burn fuel via "deflagration" (rapid burning), which requires massive amounts of air compression and speed to function.

• New Tech (RDR): The new engine uses detonation waves—essentially a continuous, spinning series of controlled explosions—to combust fuel and air. This process releases energy much more rapidly and efficiently.

According to the companies, this method generates higher thrust for both supersonic and hypersonic speeds while allowing the engine to remain smaller and lighter than conventional counterparts.

Strategic Advantages: Faster, Farther, Cheaper

The implications for future U.S. missile programs are substantial. The compact nature of the RDR design solves several critical engineering headaches:

• Extended Range: The improved fuel efficiency allows missiles to fly farther or carry heavier payloads.

• Smaller Boosters: Because the RDR can ignite at lower speeds than traditional scramjets, the massive (and expensive) rocket boosters usually needed to get the missile up to speed can be downsized.

• Cost Reduction: Executives highlighted that the system will "cost a lot less to build," addressing a primary criticism of current hypersonic weapons like the AGM-183A, which can cost tens of millions per unit.

Leadership Commentary

"The testing on the rotating detonation ramjet and inlet exceeded expectations," said Mark Rettig, vice president and general manager of Edison Works Advanced Programs at GE Aerospace. "We are excited about this collaboration to continue maturing our advanced air-breathing hypersonic propulsion technologies."

Randy Crites, vice president and general manager at Lockheed Martin Advanced Programs, noted that the success follows two years of internal investment. "This compact ramjet applies Lockheed Martin's expertise in ramjet inlets and offers extended range at extreme speeds," Crites stated.

What’s Next?

The companies plan to integrate this propulsion system into next-generation missile airframes targeting "high-value, time-sensitive targets." With China and Russia already fielding operational hypersonic glide vehicles, the U.S. Department of Defense is under pressure to field "air-breathing" cruise missiles that can maneuver unpredictably at Mach 5+ speeds.

This successful test suggests the U.S. is moving closer to a mass-producible solution, shifting from experimental prototypes to fieldable tactical weapons.