Australia has launched a hypersonics initiative to capitalise on its first experimental flight of a supersonic-combustion ramjet (scramjet). The Australian, New South Wales and Queensland governments, the Australian National University and the University of New South Wales have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the University of Queensland, which conducted a Mach 7.6 scramjet flight test in July 2002.
The MoU establishing the Australian Hypersonics Initiative is intended to co-ordinate and exploit research in hypersonics and scramjets, and is aimed at boosting Australia's potential to be a leading participant in the emerging market for air-breathing launchers and high-speed missiles. The HyShot 2 test in 2002 established that the scramjet is viable.
India's Hyderabad-based Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), meanwhile, has launched work on a hydrogen-fuelled scramjet capable of speeds above M5. "Technologically it is possible, but the task is very challenging," says DRDL director Dr Prahlada, adding that he is optimistic that India will achieve the first flight of the engine by 2007. The engine is in the configuration design stage and ground trials are expected to take place in 2005.
Source: Flight International