Technical Review and Analysis of Ramjet/Scramjet Technology II. Scramjet and Combined Cycle Engine

A technical analysis of current scramjet and combined-cycle engine is presented. Substantial research has been pursued to characterize the operation mechanism of scramjet propulsion, especially in the areas of flame stabilization and system integration, dramatically over the years in support of both military and space access application. Major technology that had significant impact on the maturation of scramjet propulsion technology are dual combustion ramjet, dual mode ramjet, and combined cycle engine to cover a typical wide rage of flight, up to flight Mach number 10. Notable are the fundamental and practical techniques, for instance, scram propulsion itself, thermal relaxation and protection using endothermic fuel and/or CSiC composit materials, and design/manufacture of movable intake and nozzle, to realize high speed propulsion system in near future.