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    Makers of a detonation ramjet engine say a test at 20,000 meters and Mach 4 speed (5,000 km ph - 3,100 m ph) has been successful, and they want the engine to be used in a new class of commercial airliner they are already testing, that can travel at that speed.
    Futurology

    Makers of a detonation ramjet engine say a test at 20,000 meters and Mach 4 speed (5,000 km ph – 3,100 m ph) has been successful, and they want the engine to be used in a new class of commercial airliner they are already testing, that can travel at that speed.


    Makers of a detonation ramjet engine say a test at 20,000 meters and Mach 4 speed (5,000 km ph – 3,100 m ph) has been successful, and they want the engine to be used in a new class of commercial airliner they are already testing, that can travel at that speed.

    https://newatlas.com/aircraft/space-transportation-mach-4-ramjet-detonation-engine-success/

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    1. lughnasadh on

      Submission statement

      This technology isn’t new, it’s been tested in various forms around the world for decades. However adapting it to a feasible commercial airliner is still a tall order.

      Although details appear to be still under wraps, a Chinese company claims it has also successfully tested the airframe that would go with such an airliner using a ramjet engine. The same company says it [“aims to have a full-sized supersonic passenger jet ready for its maiden flight in 2027.”](https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3284206/chinese-plane-designed-travel-twice-fast-concorde-completes-test-flight)

    2. towelracks on

      The problem is the same problem as always.

      Is it efficient?

      Are there routes it can fly where the loud as fuck sonic booms don’t matter?

    4. Own-Flounder-2398 on

      As I understand the problem with these engine types is that they require extremly fast speed to perform with higher efficiency then normal turbojets. I remember reading about that a while ago. An engineer of some company I can’t remember said that there is a need for additional turbojets for low speeds while taking off and landing. Is this problem solved? If so that seems extremely promising. Interesting news OP, thanks!

    8. voicerama on

      Mach 4 commercial flights would be insane – NYC to London in under an hour. Though I’m curious how they’re dealing with the heat and noise issues that killed the Concorde. Ramjets are notoriously loud at those speeds