Australia’s highway to the danger zone

Published on August 31, 2023

Australian tech company Hypersonix has been contracted by the U.S. Defense Innovation Unit to develop a hydrogen-powered scramjet engine for hypersonic drones and airplanes. Named Spartan, the scramjet will initially power single-use test drones called Dart AE, with future goals to develop reusable commercial low-orbit delivery systems. Capable of speeds greater than Mach 5, the scramjet utilizes high-temperature ceramic matrix composites and a unique fuel injection system, setting it apart from more than 60 other contenders for the Pentagon's hypersonic contract. This partnership aims to accelerate the U.S. military's hypersonic capabilities as it faces competition from other nations like China.

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https://cosmosmagazine.com/science/engineering/australias-highway-to-the-danger-zone/

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