Venus Aerospace, a leading American startup specialising in hypersonic flight, has reached a significant milestone with the successful ignition of its VDR2 engine. This marks the first successful test of a Rocket-Based Combined Cycle (RBCC) engine capable of transitioning from Mach 0 to Mach 6. The VDR2 engine, which combines the power and efficiency of a Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine (RDRE) with the high-speed cruising capability of a Ramjet, was developed in collaboration with Velontra and can start a Ramjet at takeoff speeds, bypassing the conventional limitation of requiring speeds of Mach 3.5 for ignition.
The company now plans to conduct ground tests of the VDR2 Block 0 flight engine, designed to operate from takeoff to Mach 4+ without moving parts. This engine will power Venus Aerospace’s hypersonic flight test drone, set for its inaugural flight in 2025. With previous advancements in RDRE technology and the successful flight of a supersonic-capable drone in February 2024, Venus Aerospace is on track to achieve its goal of flying an RDRE-powered drone in early 2025. The company has received $70 million in venture funding and is at the forefront of developing reusable high-speed technologies for aviation, defense, and other applications.
This latest achievement by Venus Aerospace demonstrates its commitment to innovation and advancement in the field of hypersonic flight, setting the stage for future developments in the industry.
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Photo credit defence-industry.eu
