GE Tests Supersonic Ramjet Engine in Milestone Flight
GE Aerospace has successfully completed three supersonic flight tests of its Atmospheric Test of Launched Airbreathing System (ATLAS) at Kennedy Space Center, marking a major milestone in advancing solid fuel ramjet propulsion. The ATLAS test vehicle, carried aloft by a Starfighter F-104, reached supersonic speeds during each flight, validating in-air performance for the first time.
“This marks a pivotal moment for GE Aerospace as we showcase our solid fuel ramjet technology in flight,” said Mark Rettig, vice president and general manager of Edison Works Business & Technology Development. He added that captive carry testing of reusable hardware enables more frequent, realistic trials to better understand system behavior under operational conditions.
Funded through Title III of the Defense Production Act with Pentagon support, the ATLAS program aims to extend the range, speed, and responsiveness of next-generation munitions. Data collected will guide the design of future air-breathing propulsion systems requiring higher performance and greater endurance.
GE Aerospace is a global leader in developing, manufacturing, and servicing jet and turboprop engines and integrated systems for commercial, military, business, and general aviation aircraft. The company is known for its pioneering aviation innovations, like the first U.S. turboprop engine and high-bypass engines, and is a major force in advancing aviation technology, including investments in sustainable solutions and advanced research for future flight.
GE Aerospace has been expanding its high-speed propulsion portfolio through strategic investments, including its 2022 acquisition of Innoveering, a specialist in hypersonic systems. Recent upgrades to GE’s test facilities in Ohio, New York, and Niskayuna now allow higher-Mach, mission-relevant testing at scale.
Alongside ATLAS, the company also announced successful demonstrations of rotating detonation combustion (RDC) engines at its Niskayuna research center, showing a threefold increase in airflow compared to earlier designs. These rapid advances highlight GE Aerospace’s push to integrate scalable, high-speed propulsion solutions for defense applications.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, GE Aerospace