Farnborough 2022: UK solidifies hypersonics team plan
Rendering of a potential airframe for HVX, as seen on the Reaction Engines stand at the Farnborough International Airshow 2022. (Image: Reaction Engines)
The RAF Rapid Capabilities Office is sponsoring the HVX initiative to develop a UK hypersonic platform — with a cold test of a full-scale engine expected by late 2022.
Sabre engine developer Reaction Engines expects to run a cold test of a full-scale engine this year, with hot testing starting in 2023.
The powerplant has been years in development; Shephard first spoke to inventor Alan Bond about it in 1985. Its current applications are for space launch vehicles and hypersonic vehicles for defence.
Conventional jet engines such as the powerplant for the now-retired SR-71 surveillance aircraft work well up to Mach 3, but at Mach 5 the air enters the engine at 1,000°C and therefore must be cooled.
The key to Sabre is the pre-cooler using technology from the
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
Read this Article
Get access to this article with a Free Basic Account
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 2 free stories per week
- Daily news round-up email service
- Access to all Decisive Edge email newsletters
Unlimited Access
Access to all our premium news as a Premium News 365 Member. Corporate subscriptions available.
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 14-day free trial (cancel at any time)
- Unlimited access to all published premium news
More from Farnborough Airshow 2022 News (FIA 2022)
-
![Farnborough 2022: MBDA outlines vision for Tempest Weapon Effects Management System]()
Farnborough 2022: MBDA outlines vision for Tempest Weapon Effects Management System
Last week saw big announcements by Team Tempest and MBDA was eager to talk about their own progress at the Farnborough International Airshow.
-
![Farnborough 2022: PBS confirms four customers for its new turbojet engine]()
Farnborough 2022: PBS confirms four customers for its new turbojet engine
Shephard met PBS Velka Bites at the Farnborough International Airshow to discuss the unveiling of its new turbojet engine and future developments.
-
![Farnborough 2022: Live exercises to move virtual very soon, says BAE Systems]()
Farnborough 2022: Live exercises to move virtual very soon, says BAE Systems
VRAI joins BAE Systems to further develop a single synthetic environment for multi-domain training in a virtual environment.
-
![Farnborough 2022: Mexican aerospace bounces back after COVID-19 but military aviation procurement remains sluggish]()
Farnborough 2022: Mexican aerospace bounces back after COVID-19 but military aviation procurement remains sluggish
Following a damaging period of decreased exports amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Mexican aerospace industry has begun to bounce back with a particular focus on UAV procurement.
-
![Farnborough 2022: Babcock partners with Rafael for UK land ground-based air defence programme]()
Farnborough 2022: Babcock partners with Rafael for UK land ground-based air defence programme
Babcock and Rafael have joined forces to provide C2 solutions for a GBAD programme in the UK.
-
![Farnborough 2022: L3Harris reaffirms focus on optimising UK C4ISR]()
Farnborough 2022: L3Harris reaffirms focus on optimising UK C4ISR
The aerospace and defence technology provider is ready to support the UK land, air and naval forces with communication and digitisation technologies in the coming years.
