Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
September 23, 2025
GE Aerospace Achieves Breakthrough in Supersonic Ramjet Flight Tests
TLDR
- GE Aerospace's successful supersonic ramjet tests provide a strategic advantage in hypersonic propulsion technology, positioning the company ahead in defense and aerospace markets.
- GE Aerospace conducted three captive carry flight tests using an F-104 aircraft to validate solid fuel ramjet propulsion technology in realistic atmospheric conditions.
- This advancement in hypersonic propulsion technology contributes to national security and supports the development of safer, more efficient future aerospace systems.
- GE Aerospace achieved a major milestone by successfully testing solid fuel ramjet technology at supersonic speeds aboard a Starfighters F-104 aircraft.
Impact - Why it Matters
This development represents a critical advancement in hypersonic and high-speed propulsion technology that could revolutionize military capabilities and eventually influence commercial aerospace. Solid fuel ramjet technology offers significant advantages for extended-range munitions, potentially enhancing national security through improved defense systems. The successful flight testing validates technology that could lead to faster, more efficient propulsion systems for various applications, from missile defense to future high-speed aircraft. As nations worldwide race to develop hypersonic capabilities, GE Aerospace's breakthrough positions the United States competitively in this strategically important field. The technology's potential applications extend beyond military use, possibly influencing future commercial air travel and space access technologies.
Summary
GE Aerospace has achieved a significant breakthrough in advanced propulsion technology with the successful supersonic captive carry flight tests of its Atmospheric Test of Launched Airbreathing System (ATLAS) Flight Test Vehicle. This milestone represents the first-ever flight demonstration of GE Aerospace's solid fuel ramjet (SFRJ) propulsion technology, conducted through three successful flights using a Starfighters F-104 aircraft as the carrier vehicle. The tests, which reached supersonic speeds, were led by Mark Rettig, vice president & general manager of Edison Works Business & Technology Development at GE Aerospace, who emphasized the importance of reusable flight test hardware for more frequent testing in realistic atmospheric conditions.
The ATLAS program, funded by the Department of War via Title III of the Defense Production Act, aims to scale up air-breathing propulsion technology to extend munitions range. This testing phase specifically focuses on validating key performance capabilities of solid fuel ramjets during actual flight conditions, providing critical data for future systems requiring enhanced speed, range, and responsiveness. The successful tests form part of GE Aerospace's broader strategic investments in high-speed and hypersonic propulsion technologies, which include the 2022 acquisition of Innoveering and recent infrastructure upgrades at facilities in Evendale, Ohio; Bohemia, New York; and Niskayuna, New York. These enhancements will enable mission-relevant testing at higher Mach numbers previously unattainable, positioning GE Aerospace at the forefront of next-generation propulsion systems.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content disributed by citybiz. Read the original source here, GE Aerospace Achieves Breakthrough in Supersonic Ramjet Flight Tests
