Latest Defence News 

World  

Venus Aerospace has successfully conducted the inaugural test flight of a drone equipped with its innovative "rotating detonation rocket engine" (RDRE), marking a significant milestone in the pursuit of superfast commercial jet technology. The test flight, which took place on February 24, saw the drone reach speeds just shy of the sound barrier.

The drone, measuring 8 feet (2.4 meters) in length and weighing 300 pounds (136 kilograms), was lifted to an altitude of 12,000 feet (3658 meters) by an Aero L-29 Delfín plane before being deployed for the test flight. Once activated, the RDRE propelled the drone to speeds of Mach 0.9, exceeding 680 miles per hour, while utilizing 80% of its available thrust. This successful flight demonstrated the viability of the RDRE technology and its onboard flight systems.

RDRE operates on a unique principle wherein a detonation wave continuously rotates around an annular chamber. The fuel, hydrogen peroxide, is injected into this chamber, and the repeated detonations become self-sustaining after ignition. During the test flight, the annular chamber, approximately 12 inches (25.4 centimeters) in diameter, generated 1,200 pounds (544 kilograms) of thrust.

Venus Aerospace representatives claim that RDRE technology is 15% more efficient than conventional rocket engines, potentially making it 25% more efficient than current technologies. This efficiency could enable RDRE-propelled aircraft to travel farther on the same amount of fuel compared to conventional engines.

The successful test flight paves the way for commercially viable supersonic flight, aligning with Venus Aerospace's long-term goal of developing a commercial supersonic aircraft capable of reaching speeds of Mach 9 (over 6,800 miles per hour or 11,000 kilometers per hour). By comparison, the Concorde aircraft could reach just over Mach 2 (approximately 1,550 miles per hour or 2,500 kilometers per hour), while the forthcoming Lockheed SR-72 prototype is expected to fly at speeds greater than Mach 6 (approximately 4,600 miles per hour or 7,400 kilometers per hour). 

The potential for RDRE technology extends beyond commercial applications, with military implications also being explored. Venus Aerospace is collaborating with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to further develop this technology.

Despite its promising capabilities, RDRE engines present challenges such as increased noise levels and potential stress on engine components due to rapid acceleration cycles. Nonetheless, Venus Aerospace remains committed to advancing RDRE technology through further test flights, including plans to fit larger drones capable of achieving hypersonic flight, five times faster than the speed of sound (approximately 3,900 miles per hour or 6,200 kilometers per hour).