Aerospace Testing InternationalAerospace Testing International
  • News
    • A-E
      • Acoustic & Vibration
      • Avionics
      • Data Acquisition
      • Defense
      • Drones & Air Taxis
      • Electric & Hybrid
      • EMC
      • Engine Testing
      • Environmental Testing
    • F-L
      • Fatigue Testing
      • Flight Testing
      • Helicopters & Rotorcraft
      • High Speed Imaging
      • Industry News
    • M-S
      • Materials Testing
      • NDT
      • Simulation & Training
      • Software
      • Space
      • Structural Testing
      • Supplier News
    • T-Z
      • Technology
      • Telemetry & Communications
      • Weapons Testing
      • Wind Tunnels
  • Features
  • Magazines
    • March 2025
    • Dec 2024/Jan 2025
    • Showcase 2025
    • September 2024
    • June 2024
    • Archive Issues
    • Subscribe Free!
  • Opinion
  • Webinars
  • Events
    • All Events
    • Aerospace Test & Development Show
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Suppliers
    • Supplier Spotlights
    • Press Releases
    • Technical Papers
  • Jobs
    • Browse Jobs
    • Post a Job – It’s FREE!
    • Manage Jobs (Employers)
LinkedIn YouTube X (Twitter)
LinkedIn YouTube X (Twitter)
Subscribe to magazine Subscribe to email newsletter Media Pack
Aerospace Testing InternationalAerospace Testing International
  • News
      • Acoustic & Vibration
      • Avionics
      • Data Acquisition
      • Defense
      • Drones & Air Taxis
      • Electric & Hybrid
      • EMC
      • Engine Testing
      • Environmental Testing
      • Fatigue Testing
      • Flight Testing
      • Helicopters & Rotorcraft
      • High Speed Imaging
      • Industry News
      • Materials Testing
      • NDT
      • Simulation & Training
      • Software
      • Space
      • Structural Testing
      • Supplier News
      • Technology
      • Telemetry & Communications
      • Weapons Testing
      • Wind Tunnels
  • Features
  • Magazines
    1. March 2025
    2. Dec 2024/Jan 2025
    3. Showcase 2025
    4. September 2024
    5. June 2024
    6. March 2024
    7. Archive Issues
    8. Subscribe Free!
    Featured
    19th March 2025

    In this issue: March 2025

    Online Magazines By Ben Sampson
    Recent

    In this issue: March 2025

    19th March 2025
    contents and front cover of magazine

    In this issue: December / January 2025

    19th December 2024
    Showcase 2025

    In this issue – Showcase 2025

    6th November 2024
  • Opinion
  • Webinars
  • Events
    • All Events
    • Aerospace Test & Development Show
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Suppliers
    • Supplier Spotlights
    • Press Releases
    • Technical Papers
  • Jobs
    • Browse Jobs
    • Post a Job – It’s FREE!
    • Manage Jobs (Employers)
LinkedIn YouTube X (Twitter)
Aerospace Testing InternationalAerospace Testing International
Engine Testing

Reaction partners with US Air Force to test air-breathing engine technology

Ben SampsonBy Ben Sampson11th July 20223 Mins Read
Share LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Email
Reaction Engines testing
Reaction Engines is partnering with the US Air Force to test its precooler technology (Image: Reaction Engines)

UK-based Reaction Engines is testing its high-Mach air breathing engine technology with the US Air Force.

The testing campaign, which started last week aims to expand the performance envelope of Reaction’s propulsion technology, specifically the thermal management technology. The program will validate Reaction Engine’s precooler technology so it can be used to upgrade current generation fighter jets to travel at speeds faster than Mach 4.

The precooler reduces the temperature of the air going into the engine at high flight speeds, preventing overheating and enabling the air to be used as oxidizer

The new test campaign aims to build upon the success of the previous HTX test program of the Reaction precooler by significantly increasing the delivered air mass flow rate and other test parameters which will result in a three-fold increase in the total energy transfer through the engine heat exchanger.

The planned test points for the FCT tests were selected to be characteristic of the integration of Reaction Engines thermal management technology with jet engines.

Andrew Piotti, the engineering manager for Reaction Engines US said, “The exciting outcome that I am looking forward to over the coming weeks is the validation that our technology could enable current jet engines to operate from take off up through Mach 4 and beyond.”

The Reaction Engines US team has been making steady progress since contract award in mid-2021.  The tripling of the planned heat load triggered the need for several system upgrades to the company’s TF2 high-temperature test site at the Colorado Air and Space Port and the team has rapidly progressed through all design milestones and integration of new hardware.

“Our unique ability to achieve high-Mach relevant propulsion test conditions on the ground really lets us move fast and affordably,” observed Dr. Adam Dissel, president of Reaction Engines US, “I am so proud of the innovation and drive evident in this combined Reaction Engines and Government team and I know they will keep performing now that the heat is on!”

The program is being funded through the Foreign Comparative Testing (FCT) Program at the Department of Defense and supported by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL).

William Reed, US Air Force FCT manager said, “FCT demonstrates US commitment to a ‘two-way street’ for defense procurements with both allied and friendly nations.  Reaction Engines technology is world-class and is a great fit for the FCT program.”

Reaction Engines was founded in 1989 and has been developing its SABRE (Synergetic Air-Breathing Rocket Engine) to operate in two modes. From take-off to Mach 5, while still within the atmosphere, the engine sucks in air like a conventional jet engine, to support combustion of the hydrogen fuel.

Once above the atmosphere, SABRE switches to conventional rocket mode and uses liquid oxygen (LOX) stored on board. The engine’s air-breathing characteristics reduces the amount of heavy LOX a launch vehicle has to carry.


Related stories

Reaction Engines spin out will develop device to enable ammonia’s use as jet fuel

Gearing up: Reaction Engine’s testing program moves forward

Rolls-Royce increases involvement in hypersonic air-breathing engine development project

Share. Twitter LinkedIn Facebook Email
Previous ArticleSafran buys precision timing and positioning company Orolia
Next Article UK spaceport SaxaVord runs tests ahead of first launch
Ben Sampson

Ben has worked as a journalist and editor, covering technology, engineering and industry for the last 20 years. Initially writing about subjects from nuclear submarines to autonomous cars to future design and manufacturing technologies, he was editor of a leading UK-based engineering magazine before becoming editor of Aerospace Testing in 2017.

Related Posts

Engine Testing

Venus Aerospace tests rotating detonation rocket engine

16th May 20253 Mins Read
Engine Testing

Rolls-Royce Orpheus engine program completes 100 tests

15th May 20252 Mins Read
Engine Testing

GE completes key endurance tests for RISE engine technology

14th May 20252 Mins Read
Latest Posts

Industry Adoption of 3D Optical Surface Gauges

21st May 2025

NDT: Robotics and software spur innovation

21st May 2025

Wisk and NASA to partner on US autonomous flight operations and standards

20th May 2025
Supplier Spotlights
Our Social Channels
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
Getting in Touch
  • Subscribe To Magazine
  • Contact Us
  • Meet the Team
  • Media Pack
Related Topics
  • Aircraft Interiors
  • Business Jet Interiors
FREE WEEKLY NEWS EMAIL!

Get the 'best of the week' from this website direct to your inbox every Wednesday

© 2023 Mark Allen Group Ltd | All Rights Reserved
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.