Rostec foresees pulse detonation engine benefits
A pulse detonation engine could increase aircraft range and payload capacity by up to 1.5 times, says Rostec. (Photo: Rostec)
The developer of a Russian pulse detonation engine demonstrator claims that initial tests show an improvement in specific thrust compared to conventional engines.
Rostec announced on 9 April that the A Lyulki Design Bureau in its United Engine Corporation (UEC) subsidiary has completed initial tests of a pulse detonation engine demonstrator.
UEC eyes potential future applications for this type of engine in supersonic and hypersonic aircraft.
Pulse detonation engines use supersonic detonation waves as a combustion mechanism. One major advantage of this method (noted by NASA) is that pulse detonation engines do not require an expensive turbopump to boost the fuel and oxidiser to extremely high pressure.
Rostec claimed its pulse detonation engine has a more efficient thermodynamic cycle than currently operated gas turbine engines. It added that initial tests of the demonstrator powerplant showed an increase of up to 50% in specific thrust compared to conventional engines.
‘This will prospectively increase the maximum range and payload mass of aircraft by 1.3-1.5 times,’ Rostec noted.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
You may also like
More from Defence Notes
-
![Canada’s new military drone marketplace targets rapid acquisition pipeline]()
Canada’s new military drone marketplace targets rapid acquisition pipeline
The Department of National Defence expects initial contracts to deliver thousands of uncrewed systems, but has yet to establish the quantities, capability mix or deadline behind Ottawa’s promised tenfold expansion.
-
![Ukraine turns legacy Kongsberg land turrets into semi-autonomous USV weapons]()
Ukraine turns legacy Kongsberg land turrets into semi-autonomous USV weapons
The company told Shephard that Ukraine is operating modified Protector weapon stations originally supplied for armoured vehicles, with human operators authorising engagements from hundreds of kilometres away.
-
![UK urged to prioritise sea, air and space over heavy armour]()
UK urged to prioritise sea, air and space over heavy armour
A report from the Council on Geostrategy argues the UK should move away from a traditional balanced force and shift investment to naval, air and space capabilities, backed by a larger fleet of attack submarines and deeper AUKUS integration.
-
![Thales: deployment speed to determine winners in ‘production versus production’ era]()
Thales: deployment speed to determine winners in ‘production versus production’ era
At its technology summit in London, attended by Shephard, Thales UK examined the importance of speed to delivery, the growing focus on cross-domain capabilities and how procurement reform could be crucial for future battlefield advantage.
-
![Orchestrating operational readiness across every defence domain]()
Orchestrating operational readiness across every defence domain
Are all systems ready for the next mission? Have upgrades been applied? Are all assets aligned to deploy together, on time and fully prepared? In modern defence operations, readiness is no longer measured platform by platform. It is measured by how well people, assets, data and decisions move together — across land, sea and air.
