History of U.S. Navy Ramjet, Scramjet, and Mixed-Cycle Propulsion Development

Abstract

A history of high-speed airbreathing propulsion ramjet engines and their respective vehicle and weapon systems developed under the support of the U.S. Navy is presented. These include surface- and air-launched subsonic combustion ramjets, supersonic combustion ramjets (scramjets), and mixed-cycle ramjet/scramjet/rocket engines intended primarily for missile applications for flight speeds from Mach 2 to Mach 8. A summary of the development of the joint Department of Defense/NASA-sponsored National Aerospace Plane is also presented.