Aerojet tests with new approach

SACRAMENTO, Nov. 30 (UPI) -- Aerojet announced a milestone achievement in the development of a new thermal management approach following the completion of ground testing in Virginia.

U.S. company Aerojet has been working to reduce the heat load of supersonic combustion ramjet engine technologies with an new approach as part of a contract with the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory.

Aerojet's approach, called core burning, has completed ground testing at the company's Airbreathing Test Facility in Virginia. Officials say the core burning approach is designed to force the combustion flames away from Scramjet surfaces to reduce the heat as part of an effort to advance engine scales.

"We are very pleased with the results of the testing," Dick Bregard, Aerojet vice president of defense programs, said in a statement.

"Initial observations clearly indicate the potential for both significant thermal management and engine length improvements."